BrighterT0mb

The inside was modest, comfy even. The chests weren't the best but it was fine. What caught your eye was the various scribbled drawings that covered papers pinned to the wall. There was a tall figure that looked crudely like Ranboo, a smaller Goat-like figure you didn't recognize, and an even smaller pink blob you couldn't make out. Ranboo and the Goat we're labeled ‘Dad’ and ‘Papa’, while the blob was labeled ‘Me’.

It was then you hear a clatter and a cluck from above followed by a groaning-oink and shuffling. Carefully, you made your way to the ladder and climbed up. You pushed the trapdoor up before climbing in and reclosing it.

The room was coolly lit by the glow of soul fire which also kept the room warm. The pictures on the wall showed clearer images of Ranboo, an incredibly scarred but fluffy-haired goat hybrid, and what looked like a piglin zombie. A chicken tied to the wall caused you to raise a brow before you heard another creak from behind.

You turned slowly, eyes meeting with a vacant socket and a pearly white eye. You blink once, then twice. The small piglin was hiding behind a tall wooden chair as it stared at you. You couldn't tell if they were scared or interested in you, or both.

You crouched down, tilting your head. The piglin copied your head tilt, causing you to let out a single breathy chuckle before sitting down on the carpeted floor.

You figured he couldn't speak English, at least not yet, and you didn't want to scare him any more than you already had, so you didn't bother yourself. Instead, you pulled out a golden apple Ranboo had paid you with to watch the house. You held it out which caused the piglin to squeak happily but he hesitated.

You set it on its side and rolled it towards him. He caught it, squealing in excitement as he ran passed you to the chicken. You turned around, watching the child eat the apple, giving the seeds to the chicken which are happily.

For a while, you thought. Thought about what this meant, who exactly this child was, and why he called Ranboo ‘Dad’. Eventually, you thought it best to not tell Ranboo about this. He asked you to watch, so that's what you'd do.

You stood and began walking to the trapdoor before you heard little hooves on the carpet and felt something tug on your sweater. You looked back, the piglin clutching you shyly.

You crouched once more, gently rubbing the piglin’s half-decayed head, causing him to snort contently. “I'll be back to visit tomorrow.” You said quietly, unsure if he could understand you.

It didn't matter as he soon yawned laying against your chest, causing you to hold him up as he fell asleep on you. You crouched there awkwardly for a minute before standing and walking to the bed, setting him on it and pulling the blankets over him. You noticed a nametag clipped onto the pocket of his overalls.

‘MICHAEL’.

You smiled, rubbing his head once more as you said. “Good Night Michael. See you soon.”

You hadn't planned on visiting again, but he was too cute to refuse. You ended up dropping by almost every night. He was happy to see you every time and more than once you had to catch him when he fell through the trapdoor once you opened it.

You figured out he understood you pretty fast and started to help teach him more English. You would play pattycake, draw, exchange small gifts, once you had even brought flowers, showed him how to make a flower crown, and just did that all night. Exchanging them back and forth. It was fun.

It was less fun when you noticed drawings of Michael and a new person covered in what you assumed to be leaves label Friend begin to dot the walls as well. The next morning you came home a bit later, having got caught up talking to Sam. The sun was just barely over the horizon through the trees when you got to the gate, it was then you saw Ranboo pacing at your door.

As you got closer, you noticed a paper in his hand. You caught a glimpse of the contents when Ranboo pause upon hearing your approach. Another drawing of you and Michael. You gained a guilty face as you climbed the steps, standing in front of Ranboo as he looked down at you with a concerned expression.

“So...” he began.

“So...” you began.

The early morning air was too thick.

Ranboo cleared his throat, gave the paper another look, scratched the back of his neck before he started again.

“You, uh... Met Michael?”

You hesitated, staring at the wooden floor of your front porch.

“I'm sorry-” “No. Don't be.”

You looked up in surprise before looking back down again, try to not make him even more uncomfortable.

“I haven't seen Michael this happy since we brought him his Chicken.” He chuckled before sighing. “I just... Promise you'll keep him safe.” “Keep him safe? Ranboo, he's a child. He's what? Two? Three? Who would want to hurt him?”

“Tommy suggested it when he tried to break me and Tubbo up.” “Why am I not surprised?”

A hand was placed on your shoulder, causing you to look up, Ranboo having his head down as he crouched down to your level.

“Please. Please keep him safe. And don't tell anyone else.”

It felt weird to hear Ranboo beg with so much will in his voice, he was so timid and willing to give in usually.

You placed a hand on his shoulder before saying. “I'll do my best. I promise.” He looked up, looking you in the eye briefly before hugging you tightly. “Thank you.”

You hugged him back before both of you pulled back upon Phil walking outside, Ranboo nodded to you before walking away, waving to Phil as he passed. Phil waved back before turning to you and raising a brow with a questioning smile.

You smiled and waved to him, causing him to smile more clearly and mime pouring some tea. You shrugged, you were already up, so why not?

You made a mental reminder to ask for some teabags from Phil and some Cookies from Niki, for your new Little Dead Friend.

----

You had helped kill Foolish. You almost killed Niki. Why were you allowed this? A quite, happy farm life while you traumatized everyone else. More than once you thought of burning your cottage down, maybe even going with it yourself. But you never had the will. Maybe you just didn't want to. Didn't stop you from staying up at night though.

Either way, you had a nice quiet life going for you. You eventually got into a groove you followed every day. Occasionally you would change things up. Make a cobblestone path, plant some flowers under your windows, go hunting instead of fishing, just depended on how you felt.

One day, you were in your garden, gathering your day's crops, when you heard a soft bark. You hopped the fence only to be greeted by a wolf exiting the treeline. You knelt down, offering some cooked pork from last night. The wolf trotted over taking the meat and leaning into your hand when you went to scratch his head, only for you to notice a collar on the wolf’s neck.

You heard a rustle and snap causing you to jolt up, greeted by the sight of Techno, looking quite uncertain. You stared at each other for a good minute, him taking note of your basket of vegetables, while you noticed the loaded crossbow.

“Come to hunt me down, I see.” You finally said the gentle wind tousling your hair and shifting the leaves in the trees. “Come to bring you home.” He said matter-of-factly as he put away the crossbow. “The crossbow was in case there was trouble-” “In case I attacked you, you mean-” “Y/N.” “Techno.”

Another staredown ensued, this much more heated. You broke first, closing your eyes and sighing before walking to your cottage. You heard Techno and his wolf follow.

When you entered, Techno took a place on the couch while the wolf lay at his feet. You entered the seating room, throwing him a small bundle of golden carrots, which he caught with ease while you dropped the wolf some more pork chops.

You sat sipping on some leftover Beetroot and Mushroom soup you made this morning. You didn't look at him, let alone talk, but you felt his eyes boring into your head the longer you kept your eyes closed.

“What?” You lowered your bowl to your lap. “Come home Y/N.” He said meaningfully, leaning towards you. “So everyone can hate me and call me a murderer? No thanks.” “They won't do that. Everyone misses you.” “They miss their errand girl.” “Bad’s still looking for you.” “Misses a minion, I'm sure.” “You don't mean that.” “How would you know?” “Because I know you Y/N.” He said, standing.

You took a breath in your nose before letting it out with a slight hiss. “Just leave.” You stood, set on taking your bowl back to clean it. You were stopped by Techno grabbing your wrist, which with your smaller size and him being a Brute, was more akin to him grabbing everything from your wrist to your elbow.

“Come home Y/N. You miss us just as much as we miss you.” It was true. You thought about them almost every day. You wanted to apologize to Niki, have tea with Phil, go mining Ranboo, have meaningful talks with Techno, but you couldn't. You severed those bridges when you sided with the Eggpire, who probably hated you too for not coming back or making it easier to find you.

“How would you know what I feel?” You growled, trying to pull your arm away. “Because I know you!” He was starting to get upset at your avoidance, holding your arm with a bit more force, just enough to keep you where you were. “How would you know me?! I left you!” You were starting to hold back tears, your voice cracking slightly as you pulled harder to get away.

“Because you're family, Y/N! And you'll always be family!” You finally looked at him, tears brimming in your eyes, threatening to spill over. “Family doesn't abandon each other! Family doesn't hold each other hostage! Family doesn't try to kill each other! Family doesn't use and desert each other! I'm not family to anyone Techno! So just leave like everyone else did!”

Techno pulled you, the jolt making you drop the mostly empty bowl to the Birchwood floor while Techno hugged you close.

“Family helps each other. Family is messy and makes mistakes. I'm sorry I didn't notice your feelings sooner Y/N, but you are family. You're family to Phil and Ranboo. Niki too, even if she feels hurt. Bad and Ant call you family too.” He lets you pull back a bit, lifting your face to look at him through your tears.

“And your family to me too, Kid. You'll always be family to us, even if you mess up and join a government.” You wanted to laugh but instead, you choke out a sob, jumping into another hug which he returned, if somewhat stiffly.

Once you stopped bawling your eyes out, you talked for a bit. About what had changed, what was happening, how things had been, what happened to the Egg. You were immensely thankful that it had been sealed up again. You apologized more times than either of you could count. By the time you both were done talking, the sun was starting to set.

When Techno said it was time to go home, you hesitated. You wanted to go, XD you missed everyone. You missed running errands and fetching things for people. But you were scared. Even if people missed you and you missed them, you couldn't go back. Not yet.

Techno agreed reluctantly, giving you your old communicator back. Before he left you told him to come around sometime later on with Phil, Ranboo, and Niki. He agreed and then he was off.

You went back inside, having no appetite for dinner, you went straight to bed. For once, you didn't think about how the Egg would whisper in your ear, or the thousands of questions you had about everyone else. No, for once, you managed to think about all the things you'll finally get to say to everyone. For once, you felt like you actually got sleep.

>When Phil found me, time had escaped me. I thought he was there to give me a new directive, but he didn't. He seemed concerned, he cared for me as if I was a person.

>He brought me out into an unfamiliar world. Showed me his companions he called “Friends”. Techno, Niki, Ranboo. As I stayed with them for the short time I did, I felt something. I can never recall a time in which I felt.

>But time went on and I had to return to my work. Newly repaired and on advice from Phil, I built more golems to help me. The occasional visits from people were... Enjoyable? Is that the word that describes the feeling?

>Whatever the word, they came and I would always want them back. Purpled was the one I found most enjoyable. He spoke of distant lands and planets I had never heard of. He spoke of humans similar to how I did. Like he wasn't one. Which he isn't. He is an extraterrestrial.

>I grew accustomed to this new routine, even if those odd vines affected me in a way I can not describe to this day.

>Feelings once again became a distant thought.

>But then I heard of Quackity. From Purpled, crying of his demolished U.F.O.

>Something seemed to override my systems at that moment. Later questioning from Purpled said I looked “Angry”, “Furious”.

>But before I could process, I had been in a land of sand that made my gears creak and my joints feel stiff.

>As I heard Quackity talk, the feeling only grew.

>A part of me that I couldn't place wanted to throw him out the window of that stupid needle.

>But I didn't.

>When Purpled came to tell me of him joining Las Nevadas, I felt heavier. A directive to protect him overwhelmed me as I tried to keep him from Quackity, knowing he would corrupt him the way only humans could do.

>That same overwhelming burning feeling was all I could feel while I had my stay at Las Nevadas, though it felt more of a simmer when with the other humanoids I could enjoy.

>Sam, Slime, Foolish, and especially Purpled. Though I never came across the one called “Fundy”.

>When I was first called “Friend” by Slime, I asked what that word meant. He said he was not sure, but that Quackity called him that occasionally.

>I asked Foolish, he said a “Friend” was someone I could call a partner. Sam described it as someone I enjoyed being with.

>Purpled was the oddest response, only saying that I was his friend and that he was mine.

>I felt something with that answer. I think I liked it best.

>From that day on, I kept a list of those considered “Friends”

>Purpled, Phil, Ranboo, Sam, Foolish, Slime, Techno, Niki.

>They are the people that are “Friends”. Those I seem to “feel” best around. Those I would protect.

>When Phil came to me saying I wasn't human, it wasn't a surprise. What was a surprise was that I wasn't all golem either.

>Had my creators used a base to make me unlike the copper golems I made to help me?

>The questions of my origin would remain as such. Whatever I was, no one was able to identify.

>I needed time to think. So I went back to my base.

>Everything is black after I stepped through the doorway and saw the shine of enchanted Netherite.

>I hear odd sounds.

>Crying. Drunken Laughter. Trains. Spanish Rambling?

>For a while I hear screaming. It sounded like Purpled and Phil.

>This is my first time feeling pain I think.

>It aches and sharpens at some points.

>Sometimes, I think I yell, and then the crying and laughter stop only for the shouting to get louder.

>I don't understand feelings. You feel when you are damaged, but then they can also come out of nowhere and are felt on the “inside” as Phil had described once.

>Perhaps when I wake up, I can ask more people about them.

>Though this seems odd. The trains, the crying, and the laughter. They seem to be getting louder. It's getting hard to hear Phil and Purpled.

>Will I be waking up soon?

>Who are those people?

>The trains are quieter now.

>It looks like a hospital.

>How do I know what that place is called?

>Why does everything hurt more now?

>Everything is getting da-

Abilities

Cosmetic:

Centaur: Everything below the legs is replaced with a horse body.

Pros:

Rideable: Others can ride on you. (With a saddle equipped)

Gallop: You sprint 2x faster than humans.

High Jump: Pressing the spacebar gives you a gauge to determine how high you jump.

Cons:

Vegetarian: You aren't able to eat meat.

Horse Armor: You can equip horse armor, but this prevents you from wearing Boots and Leggings.

Origin File

Inspired by sam @/cowbaits on Twitter

Like Goateé’s, Equestres have many varying traditions, more so when you consider that even those that live amongst humans and other hybrids will usually develop their own traditions or mix some with those of the area.

An Equestre will naturally seek a herd. If there are no other Equestres are nearby or live in the area, they will develop a herd mentality with those they live around.

You sighed as you entered the old house you had long abandoned. Books and papers littered the floor. Anatomy of birds, notes sticking out of journals. You rubbed a hand against your face. You were older, everyone was, everyone not dead anyway. How many years had it actually been? You lost count around the middle of the Great SMP War as everyone called it now.

Regardless of the passage of time, you were now short two deaths and you had long abandoned the project you has promised your friend so long ago. The brace with half-finished prosthetic feathers lay on the table. You ghosted a hand over it. You'd almost perfected it when the war came busting everyone’s doors down.

You remembered the day you had shown Phil all your research and notes. It had taken at least four to five years to gather it all but the look on his face had been worth it. You knew he had been tempering his expectations until that point, unsure whether to support you or not. But seeing that initial sketch of the brace, hearing you explain it, you'd seen the change in him, the tears of hope and happiness he had tried to hide.

It was all for nothing now. You yanked your hand away from the unfinished mechanical limb. You contemplated why you even came and you rubbed your eyes, leaning on the table before you heard the door creak.

“This is a surprise.” A low gruff voice said. You looked back, greeted by the sad, hollow, memory of the Piglin who had once taken you in. “I... I'm sorry. I just-” “I know.” He walked up next to you, starting at the brace. “I miss him too.” The empty tone nearly made you crack. You inhaled deeply, looking to the side as you held back tears and a sob.

“The... Ahem- The islands are coming along well. Did you-” “No. I can't. I can't see him like that. It's not him.” You nodded, finally taking notice of the large backpack he held by the top strap at his side. “You’re leaving?” You looked up at him, almost feeling betrayed. “Tommy, Tubbo, Boo, and Micheal are coming too. I wanted to invite you too.” “Niki and Wilbur?” “Wilbur’s insane and you know it. As for Niki. I couldn't find her. Didn't find any note. There's no signal about her dying. I can only guess she left too.”

You looked down at the decaying wood floor. Did you want to leave? This was the only place you had ever known. You hadn't known many others but, everything you had, had been here. You grew up on these snowy grounds, walked the craters that were once paths and streets, watch life grow and die. Watch. That was the word that defined you, wasn't it? You were only ever able to watch. Watch people tear each other apart, watch the explosions and withers, watch others grow mad, forget themselves, die on the inside with the decay of everything, watch your friends die and betray.

“I want to see him first. One last time.” Techno held his breath before nodding. “We’ll... meet you at the nether roof.” You took your turn nodding before the Piglin turned and left. The cold air blew in through the still-open door. You didn't feel it.

You weren't sure when you left the decrepit cabin, when you traveled through the nether, or when you had arrived at the remains of the SMP. You looked up, seeing the floating piles of dirt connected by vines. “PHIL!” You shouted seeing a small dot jump from one of the floating masses. A gust of air hit you like a wall, causing you to fall on your back and squint your eyes.

“You know it's Phantomza now, right?” The greyed, semi-transparent figure loomed over you. Branchlike antlers tore through the bucket hat which now sported a veil covering the blank face of your past friend. You helped yourself up. “Habit.” You dusted yourself off, looking at the floating islands again. “They're coming along well.” He flowed your gaze, smiling lightly. “Yes, they are... Do you think she'll like them?” He turned to you, still serene despite the happy tone. “She’ll love them.” You patted his arm.

The both of you stood there in silence, taking in the sight before you looked down in guilt. “I'm leaving.” He turned to you, calm but a little shocked. “Me, Techno, Tommy, Boo, and his family.” He started before looking back up at his creation. “That’s sad.” He doesn't sound sad. “I hoped they would at least say goodbye.” Does he actually want anything? “I can't go until the islands are done.” Why does he only care about building? “It would make me happy t-” “YOU DON’T FEEL ANYTHING!” You yelled, catching the ghost off guard.

“You never feel anything! You're just apathetic! You've never felt happy to see me, sad Techno never visited you, worried about Niki or Boo! Nothing! Phil felt! He was happy! Hopeful! And then you took him! At least have the common decency to stop acting like you two are the same!” Tears streamed down your face as you screamed bloody murder at the white-winged ghost in front of you. Sobs were the only sound besides the whistling wind. “Phil had wants. Dreams. He wanted to see his friends safe and happy. Dreamed about seeing his wife again. He only ever hoped to fly again. And now you just parade around acting like him, when you're barely a parody. All you ever do is build your stupid islands! You use what was supposed to be his wings to do what he always wanted. You act so carefreely about it I wonder if you got anything from him.”

You sobbed again, turning away from the ghost as you sat on the ledge, crying into your knees. You heard movement next to you before a cold hand was placed on your head. “I remember a lot from him. I remember a lot of conversations with Techno, baking cookies with Niki, being introduced to Micheal, Wilbur introducing me to Fundy after he was born, Will after he was born, meeting Kristen. But things I remember most clearly are the times he was most content or happy. The best one I like to remember is your promise during tea and you showing him that sketch of the brace.” That had you freezing up. “He was so worried about you. Worried you'd waste away or end up like Will. But then you showed him that sketch. Everything seemed to fall into place for him... And then the war happened. And I see you and Techno again, crying as he looks at the sky and talks to you. It hurt like hell, but he was happy. Sad too, but happy. Happy Techno could see the world, happy he could see Kristen again, and happy you could live your life. Maybe travel without working yourself dead over him.” You bit your lip as you felt him crouch down and hug you from the side. “He’s sorry he never got to see the brace. And never got to take you flying.”

That was the straw that broke the camel's back. You hiccuped before wailing. You held onto the phantom as you rubbed your back, holding you like a father comforting his child. If your tears burned, he said nothing. You weren't sure how long you cried for but by the time you were done, you were spent. Phantomza wiped your remaining tears with his sleeve before picking you up.

“I'm going to live how I think he would have wanted to, and do everything he couldn't.” You felt the wind streak past as he took off with you still in his arms. You held tight onto his shirt, closing your eyes so they wouldn't burn in the billowing winds. But when you felt the wind slow and Phantomza level out, you peaked an eye open. You looked around soon catching the setting sun on the horizon.

It was breathtaking, though that could have been the altitude. Almost like a painting. “I'm sorry, I'm not him. But I'm trying to live how I think he would have. Knowing his friends are strong and can care for themselves, not wanting to bother others too much, and building beautiful things. I fly so much because maybe, just maybe, if he can feel or see it too, I want to that much at least.” You felt yourself yawn, watching the sunset as your postmortem friend gave you the best he could.

“He was always happy when you were happy.”

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

The vague ending was on purpose, you decide whether you stayed with Phantomza or left with Techno in the end.

Also, I'm sorry if this was sadder than you expected. My dog died so I may have been projecting just a bit.

As for the specifics of how Phil died, I had an idea but I kept it vague to not make it too long and to leave it up to the reader as well.