Time Traveling Crashout Au Part 3
<Part 2 The enderpearl stasis goes off.
And Parrot is already moving.
He doesn’t wait to see if Wifies or Dean are safe. Doesn’t say a single word to CoinMonke either. Doesn’t wait for literally anything.
He just runs.
He sprints out of CoineMonke’s house, all while Wifies is calling after him, and heads straight across the clearing, past the houses where the other miners worked, and immediately goes for the one thing he knows is still there.
The barrel.
It’s half-hidden behind some floating signs. Same place as before. Same little stash spot from the past.
He opens the barrel.
And there it is.
Luigi’s emerald.
Parrot hovers his cursor over it, and takes a deep breath. He carefully drags it into his hotbar, knowing he will enderchest it the second he gets the chance.
Parrot swallows.
“Sorry,” he mutters quietly to the emerald.
The word hangs in the air.
“I don’t know what happened but…it didn’t take me back far enough.”
A beat.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t save you.”
Parrot exhales slowly through his nose, staring down at the emerald in his hand.
“I’ll do better this time.” He promises.
Footsteps crunch.
And Parrot immediately hides the emerald in his inventory.
When Parrot turns, Wifies is standing behind him.
“Parrot? ” Wifies says, glancing at the hidden barrel. “What are you doing here? We need to move.”
Parrot doesn’t answer.
He just closes his inventory and bolts.
They run.
Through trees. Over hills. Across way too much terrain to count.
For awhile now, Parrot has been taking the lead. Both Dean and Wifies trying to keep up.
Parrot knows that it doesn’t really matter how far they go or where they try to hide. The Invis Mafia will catch up to them sooner or later. Probably sooner, depending on when Dean had fired the arrows that the Mafia will use to track their location, or if Dean is just straight up leaking their cords in private messages.
So the best they could do was move quickly and erratically. Which would keep their exact location a secret, as long as they’re careful. Since it wasn’t like the three of them could outrun anyone tracking them with elytra.
No one talks.
Which is great.
Because Parrot really doesn’t want to talk.
Eventually they duck into a small dip in the terrain, half-hidden by stone and leaves. It’s not perfect cover, but it’s enough that Parrot finally slows down.
Dean takes the hint, and uses the reprieve to eat some of the steak that Parrot had tossed him.
Parrot had already divided up the golden apples, and other resources amongst the three of them. But he had decided to keep the slow falling arrows, a bow, and a set of netherite boots as well the helmet that Theo had dropped for him.
The diamond pants were currently being worn by Dean and Parrot had given the chestplate to Wifies.
It wasn’t a ton, but it was something.
Honestly having any armor was nice. Last time they’d tried running from the Maifa, they’d had nothing but a few stacks of dirt and Deans good jokes to go on.
Which is to say, they hadn’t had much.
Theo had given them a massive advantage here. And Parrot half hoped that Theo would pick up even more dropped gear from the banned Mafia players.
They could always use more armor and food down the line, he thinks, as he downs another steak.
When Parrot looks over, Wifies isn’t eating. Some of the steak is still in his hand.
But his camera stays pointed at Parrot.
Then ever so slowly, Wifies approaches him.
Uh oh.
“Alright,” Wifies says, carefully stepping closer until he’s only a few blocks away from Parrot. “I think you’ve had enough time to figure out what to say.”
Parrot grimaces. He knew this was coming sooner or later. He’d just hoped the later would have lasted longer.
“Where we are going, Parrot?” Wifies asks.
Parrots inwardly sighs. His destination is the Northern Council coordinates.
But it’s not like he can tell them that…
Partially, because neither Wifies nor Dean would understand what that even is, or believe him if he were to try.
And the other part, is because Parrot knows that anything he says could be potentially leaked by Dean straight to the Invis Mafia.
So instead, Parrot pretends to be very interested in the dirt.
Wifies eyes seem to trail after him when he doesn’t get an immediate response.
Parrot can practically hear the wheels turning in Wifies head. He’s probably going through several mental calculations right now.
“Somethings off with you.” Wifies finally says.
And then Wifies immediately takes a few steps closer to Parrot.
As though trying to stay in Parrot’s line of view. Parrot tries not to think about it, and looks away, but Wifies continues.
“How did you know the enderpearl stasis would go off?” Wifies asks. The question is pointed. Sharp as a blade.
And one Parrot can’t answer.
So he doesn’t.
Wifies’ eyes never leave him. But his voice is tighter.
“And that guy with the minecarts...You knew him?”
He can hear Wifies footsteps getting closer.
Parrot keeps staring at the ground.
“Who are they?” Wifies presses. “Why save us?”
Closer still.
Very ground-like.
“...Parrot.”
And Parrot makes the mistake of glancing upwards.
“Why won’t you look at me?”
Parrot can’t breathe.
Wifies is standing directly in his path. Blocking the way forward. …
“Did I do something wrong?” Wifies asks, the words are polished and soft. Calculating.
He might not be able to see Parrots face, but Parrot is positive Wifies can see through every move he makes.
Yes, you did. You will.
“If I upset you…” Wifies says. “I’m sorry.” And Parrot knows it’s the truth.
But you're not sorry for what you’ve done. What you’ll do.
Wifies shifts closer. Trying to fully line up with Parrot’s view.
Parrot feels like he’s going to throw up.
Like the whole world is shrinking.
Like he’s stuck in a box.
Just the two of them.
Immediately, Parrot side steps Wifies. Desperate to break eye contact, he starts walking away.
Quick footsteps follow behind him.
Because of course they do…
“Please, just talk” Wifies asks, barely a step behind him.
Parrot’s fingers grip the mouse. His camera dips lower. He can’t help but glance at the spyglass in his inventory.
Because yeah.
He could talk.
He could say a lot of things, actually.
Like:
Hey Wifies, funny story.
In about a few months from now you’re going to fake your death.
You’re going to call yourself The Director.
You’re going to lock me in a prison.
And then you’re going to take everything I have, while threatening to kill the people I care about if I don’t obey you.
…until you force me to kill you.
Parrot’s jaw tightens.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
Parrot keeps staring at the ground, walking away.
But apparently Wifies's patience is beginning to wear thin.
“You almost got yourself killed back there, you know.” Wifies says.
The words are devoid of emotion.
Parrot freezes.
A shiver runs down his spine.
Upon seeing Parrot pause, Wifies must think he’s finally broken through, because immediately his tone switches back to the gentleness it had before.
“Parrot. I’m sorry. I- just want to understand what’s going on.” Wifies whispers to himself. It’s so quiet Parrot barely catches it. “I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”
Parrot tries to steady himself.
He’s playing a very dangerous game here.
One that he can’t just keep ignoring.
He has to get a hold of himself.
Even if he knows Wifies will keep pushing for answers.
But Parrot has to do everything he can to avoid Wifies suspicions, if he wants to change things.
But he can’t lie either.
Wifies would catch it instantly.
So he has to play this smart.
Tell the truth, but give as little information as possible.
Parrot has to remind himself that he is the one with the informational advantage here.
This time, it isn’t Wifies.
“I’m meeting Theo.” Parrot finally settles on.
The words come out rough. Choked.
Wifies tilts his head at that, but doesn’t remark on it.
“…Theo?”
The tone is inquiring, but Parrot knows better.
“Yeah.”
A pause.
And Parrot waits for Wifies demands. An interrogation waiting to happen.
But instead Wifies's tone is far different.
“I’m…surprised.” Wifies says after a moment, and it leaves Parrot mildly shocked.
It isn’t often that Parrot had ever heard Wifies genuinely surprised at something.
But then Wifies let’s the other shoe drop.
“I would’ve thought you’d go after Luigi’s place.” he says with certainty. “Not some random player.”
Oh.
So that’s your game…
You must think I’m lying. That I’m still trying to avenge Luigi. Like I’d done in the past.
You're only half right though…
But it’s clear Wifies must be fishing for information here. Probably gauging Parrots reactions.
Parrot knows Wifies must have already clocked that he has been acting way out of his norm. Which means anything Parrot says or does, Wifies will use as informational leverage here.
Parrot has to be careful.
“Wait?” Dean suddenly pipes up behind them, unaware of the little cat and mouse game that Wifies and Parrot are currently playing. “Is that the minecart guy we saw?”
Very slowly, Parrot turns to Dean, and nods.
“He’s my friend.” Parrot says. His voice is firm.
He hopes it’s firm...
Silence hangs in the air.
Parrot prays he hasn’t made a mistake in revealing that.
Wifies frowns slightly.
“…Since when?”
Parrot’s jaw tightens again.
He tries not to react.
Because yeah.
That’s the problem, isn’t it?
Since when.
Since a thousand conversations that haven’t happened yet.
Since he had practically killed himself at spawn.
Since a friendship this version of Wifies doesn’t even know was left to rot in a blown up prison designed especially for the two of them.
Parrot looks away again.
“Since…He…” Parrot hesitates, wracking his brain for something believable. “He helped me before. At spawn. Uh…When you weren’t there.”
Which again, was true, technically. Even if Wifies would make the wrong assumption about it.
“And you trust them?” Wifies questions.
With everything I’ve got, Parrot almost says.
But again. He had to play this game more carefully. Just one wrong move and…
Parrot takes a deep breath, and just nods his affirmation.
This is still Wifies, he has to remind himself. He’s not talking to The Director. Not yet.
There is still a chance here.
Which means Parrot still has something he can do. A bit of leverage of his own.
“Wifies, don’t you trust me?” Parrot mutters softly. And lets the spyglass sit quietly in his off hand.
Parrot hates himself for doing this. It feels horrible.
But it’s all he can do.
It’s the only card he has to play here.
And it’s all he can bare at the moment.
Standing here before Wifies, Parrot knows it’s not really an answer. And he also knows he definitely can’t actually answer any of Wifies questions.
Not really anyway.
But he waits.
And Wifies studies him for a few moments.
And then-
“…Alright.” Wifies says quietly.
And Parrot lets out a breath he didn’t know he was holding…
Despite knowing he shouldn’t.
Because in the back of his mind, he knows this isn’t over.
Wifies will definitely start catching on soon, if he hasn’t already. And will probably demand more answers.
Answers Parrot won’t be able to give him. For several reasons…
All Parrot can do is slow the process down. And give himself enough time to change things.
Hopefully for the better.
So after another small nod, Parrot walks past Wifies.
And they push back into the forest, with Wifies and Dean following behind him.
It’s already getting dark enough that Parrot has to up the brightness on his computer screen. Dense, short, oak trees and giant mushrooms are scattered everywhere, blocking out the evening sky.
It’s good cover.
And also terrible for navigation…at least for anyone trying to spot them from overhead.
Which was exactly why Parrot had chosen this route.
He slows slightly as they weave between the trunks, and hops over a block, landing on a patch of coarse dirt. Wifies follows cleanly behind him.
Dean… takes a bit longer.
Parrot doesn’t look back right away.
Instead he watches from the edge of his screen.
And sees a subtle pause in Dean’s character movement.
There it is.
For a few moments Dean has stopped moving. He stops behind them, lingering in the foliage. Parrot can barely hear the keys on Dean’s keyboard, but he figures they’re probably typing.
Parrot listens for the sound of a bow string. And almost immediately after Parrot hears it fire, Dean looks back up and starts walking again.
Parrot exhales slowly through his nose.
Right.
That was probably their cords going out.
Fantastic.
Without warning, Parrot cuts hard to the left.
Straight into a thicker mess of trees. He needs to find better cover.
“Huh? Uh, wait a sec-” Dean says behind them, but Parrot continues forward.
Wifies adjusts instantly, following Parrot’s pace without hesitation.
Branches and leaves fill up the screen as Parrot pushes through, now sprint-jumping over a shallow dip in the ground before sliding down a small slope and into a stone outcropping.
He doesn’t stop until the ground drops suddenly into darkness.
A ravine.
Perfect.
Parrot jumps down the ledge and lands in a small pool of water, splashing in as he lands on the block.
Wifies drops in behind him a second later.
And Dean lands last.
“Uh, why did we come down here?” Dean asks.
Parrot shrugs.
“Vacation.”
Dean stares at the dark ravine.
“…This is the worst vacation I’ve ever been on.”
Wifies mutters, “You should see the food options.”
Parrot quietly huffs a laugh, all while subtly trying to herd them deeper into the ravine.
“Look, the forest was getting annoying.” He explains, gesturing vaguely upward with his head. “Too many turns. Plus we need iron.”
All technically true.
Just not the real reason.
Dean seems to accept that explanation though, already looking around the ravine. Though it’s very hard to see. And they didn’t make any torches.
Wifies doesn’t say anything.
But Parrot notices him glance back up toward where they came.
And then back at Parrot.
Parrot slows his pace, eyes looking over the flat expanse ahead. It’s extremely dark now. The sun had already set, so visibility is likely difficult for anyone without the right game settings.
Which Dean probably didn’t have.
Perfect.
“Shift,” he says to Dean.
Dean hesitates.
“Huh? Why?”
“I think there’s an edge,” Parrot says shortly, also shifting himself.
“But I don’t see-“
“Just do it.”
Dean hesitantly starts shifting, and Parrot watches to make sure the nametag above his head goes opaque.
Then Parrot slowly leads them deeper into the ravine, letting the overhangs fully conceal them from view.
Of course Parrot knew that the ground ahead was only flat stone. But the terrain wasn’t the danger he was trying to circumvent at the moment.
Parrot looks back behind him.
“You too Wifies,” he says.
Wifies barely hesitates, following Parrot easily through the flat ravine. He looks around oddly though, like he’s questioning what Parrot is trying to do.
Until they all hear the sound of a rocket going off overheard.
Then Wifies’s head instantly whips upwards.
But Parrot and company are already deep into the cracks of the ravine now, completely sealed from view.
As long as he can keep Dean from making any noise or messaging their pursuers, they should be relatively undetectable.
So Parrot keeps moving forward, and carefully steers Dean away from anything that could make a sound, while also watching to see if Dean would stop.
Parrot couldn't do anything about the arrows that Dean may have already fired in order to let their pursuers track them. But he could definitely keep Dean from messaging anyone their exact coordinates.
I’m not going to let you give us away.
Not this time.
When it looks like Dean is about to stop, Parrot punches him. Then quickly shoots him a message.
Keep moving
After all, it’s very hard to message anyone if you're actively shifting and holding down the W key. And Dean is probably not a skilled enough player to know how to do both.
Overhead more rockets fire. And Parrot keeps subtly pushing Dean and Wifies forward through the cracks of the ravine.
As they move Parrot spots how Wifies keeps looking upwards, then at Dean, and then at him.
The subtle glances tell Parrot more than enough.
Have you figured it out yet Wifies?
Parrot knows it’s only a matter of time…
The three of them creep silently through the ravine. Using the terrain to their advantage.
It’s only once the sounds of rockets are gone for several minutes that Parrot goes back to unshifting.
Because this time, Parrot is going to make sure things go differently. Part 4>