Chapter Text
A single skeleton under a stump of a tree. His body is melting, but he doesn't notice. He's too busy sobbing over that one horrible moment.
All of the villagers are dead. But his mother is too. He couldn't stop them. His brother… he wasn't around.
At least, not in time. He doesn't know how to feel. He doesn't even know if this moment is real. It all feels so… dreamlike.
No, not like a dream. Like a horrible nightmare. He's the horrible nightmare.
That moment… it felt like something else had taken over him as soon as he had eaten that darkened apple. It was like he was watching his own body move on its own.
Like it wasn't him moving. Like it wasn't him doing the killing.
"So, you're aware of my presence."
That wasn't his voice. Still, he doesn't raise his head from his knees.
"Come on, I know that you're stronger than that. I know that I'm stronger than that. You wouldn't want to put me to shame, would you?"
"H- Huh?" Nightmare raises his head. No, he doesn't want to shame anybody.
A figure he sees, standing above him. Shadowy and goopy, but the same clothes and height as himself. It's like staring into a corrupt mirror.
The figure stares at him. "I didn't expect you to be so weak. I would have expected somebody that had eaten all the apples to be strong."
Nightmare looks away. He knows he's weak. If he was strong, his mother still would've been alive.
"So you don't deny it."
He shakes his head. "She's dead… I couldn't stop them. I don't even know how I managed to kill them all…"
The figure sighs, and takes a knee next to him. "You didn't."
"B- But I saw them-"
"That's because I did, little prince. I realize now that you aren't capable of doing all that I did on your own."
"Y- You did? But… But they didn't deserve to die…" He pauses, tears melting from his hollow eye-sockets. "I did."
Another sigh comes from the figure. "Thinking that way will get you nowhere. Do you think dying would have benefited you any?"
"I don't deserve any benefit… my brother does. I- I miss him… he's gone doing something else again I'm sure."
"Your dear brother never cared about you. He only cared about the villagers that hurt you so."
"I wish he cared more…"
"Well he isn't able to, because he's long gone by now. Dead."
Nightmare stares at the figure, shocked. "D- Dead?"
"Why do you care so much? Like I said, he never cared about you."
"B- Because h- he's my brother…"
"Family doesn't mean anything. It is only weak connections that only hurt you more."
He looks away from him. "I…"
"Do you think you'd even benefit from having control of your own self? You're only hurting yourself, and you'll continue to get hurt if you don't listen to me.
Things like 'care' are for the weak. Things like 'family' are for the weak. You have the possibility to become the strongest thing this world has to offer, and you're only holding yourself back with all these connections that you make."
"W- What am I supposed to do, then? I- I don't know how to be strong."
The figure smiles at him. "Give control over to me. I can guide you on how to become powerful. On how to become strong."
"C- Control? But how? Y- You're not me."
"Answer this question, little prince: Do you really think we are in reality right now?" The figure laughs, as if that claim is absurd.
"Where else would we be?"
"You're dreaming. We currently are in your mindscape right now. Funny how similar it looks to reality, don't you think?
Which despite me not being you, we share a body as of now. Neither of us are in control though, but if I suddenly took control you surely would resist."
Nightmare thinks on it. He… He doesn't feel fit to control his own body. But, can he really trust this person?
It's not like he has anybody else, though. And he says that he can make himself stronger. Isn't that what he wants? To be able to stand up for himself?
Everybody he knows is dead. If they really were holding him back, they no longer can. The only person he knows that isn't dead, is this person inhabiting his body.
He trusts him. He trusts him, because he has nobody else to trust, and he's offering him something he's always desired.
Something he thought he couldn't do. He knows he can't do it on his own. He just can't.
He needs his help.
"A- Alright. I'll let you. Just… don't do anything bad. Please."
The figure nods back to him, and offers him a hand.
As soon as Nightmare takes it, everything fades to black.
Dream… he didn't realize he was alive. He saw him. He saw that he was stone.
And he seems happy to see him.
But neither can communicate with each other.
"S- Sir, my brother i- is… he's…" him, the lighter version of Nightmare stutters to his corrupted counterpart.
Nightmare responds with a growl. "Little prince, he doesn't care. Remember how he wasn't there. Remember how he was out frolicing in some flowers, leaving the duties to you. Remember how he let her die."
He responds with silence. He knows he's right. He's been teaching him how to be strong, so he has to be right.
Even if it hurts others, he's been told it's necessary. Necessary to become strong. Soon he'll learn to enjoy it, just like how his counterpart does.
So he watches them. Watches them argue, and watches the conversation be turned towards that weird glitchy guy.
Dream and his new inky friend start to berate him, and he sees him just… break down.
It's familiar. He's been in that situation before. Ha ha… funny…
He really doesn't care, does he?
Nightmare laughs at all of this. "You see little prince, this is what cruel people do. You recognize it, don't you?"
He nods.
"You have to become stronger so that doesn't happen to you. You realize that, correct?"
"...I do." He doesn't know how to feel. But maybe if he just keeps following Nightmare, he will figure it out.
Hopefully.
In all honesty, he didn't know what to think when he saw what happened to Horror.
Someone from a universe like that deserves better. But come to think of it…
He deserved better too, right?
Does that give him the right to hurt him in that way?
Nightmare was slowly depriving him of food. He could tell. But could he tell?
Maybe? Should he bring it up?
As they pass Horror, he views him dusting the cupboards with one hand and clutching his stomach with another.
…He was bigger when he first arrived. At least, that's what he’s observed.
“Sir…?” He starts, floating from behind. The misery from everyone living here can be felt. But somehow, he especially feels Horror’s.
“Yes, little prince?” Nightmare replies.
“I- I know it's to gather negativity, and I know we’ve been hurt more than this, but…” Trailing off, he looks from Horror to Nightmare.
The other rolls his singular eye. “Spit it out.”
“Why are we treating everyone so cruelly?” He finishes.
“Questions, questions… I understand them, truly.” Nightmare pauses. “From your point of view, that is.”
He furrows his bone-brows. “From my…”
“Oh, do I need to elaborate?” He asks.
A nod.
“Hm, very well. It’s simple, really.” Nightmare smiles. “Everyone here, they work under me. So therefore, I can do whatever I wish to them.”
“But-”
“Let me finish.” He interrupts. “Cruelty is something that is necessary in this vast multiverse, and it is something we both benefit from. Someone as weak-minded as you would not understand yet, but you will learn eventually.”
That last part was stated as fact. Looking at him, it seems dumb not to give in. He’s the stronger one, with a stronger mind and body.
He was weak before he came along. All of this may seem very wrong to him, but that's because he’s weak-minded.
Just like he said.
Weak-minded.
…Thinking of it, he might as well just be weak in general.
And he should be glad because he’s here to change that.
Shouldn't he?
Dust constantly got things wrong. That's how Nightmare saw it, and that's how he should see it too.
Trusting in Nightmare has made him stronger. The deaths he’s seen… they’ve seen less and less horrifying as their numbers go up.
And they’ll continue to go up, right? He shouldn't be doubting them at all. Thinking about it, he should be glad they're happening in the first place.
…But he isn't. Still weak-minded, as he said before.
At first, when he saw Horror’s dust on the floor, he felt as if he was going to puke. But he couldn't, as the one who was taking the back seat of his body.
Nightmare had waved him off, telling him it was bound to happen. That it was his fault that he had died.
If he had wanted food, then why not ask?
…That should have been obvious. According to him, he was too dumb. So he died.
Basic enough. Simple enough.
He doesn't want to be included under the definition of ‘dumb’, so he doesn't question it.
So he’s stopped asking questions in general. At least, no important ones. Rarely has he said a word.
That has led to him being a stuttering, nervous wreck when talking, but that's to be expected from a person like him.
Dust was behind them. Staring at them, as Nightmare inspected his meal. As if he expected something.
Well, saying he was staring at ‘them’ was a lie, wasn't it? There wasn't a ‘them’, there was a ‘him’.
That ‘him’ being Nightmare. Not including himself, of course.
Footsteps. Dust approaches their seat. What he’s doing, he doesn't know.
Until he pulls out an attack.
Before he can warn Nightmare about the upcoming blow, Dust is already held up in the air.
It happened so fast, he didn't notice.
Though… why did he do it? Simply put, Dust was the one doing everything wrong. Clothes were never neatly ironed enough. Food was never flavorful enough. Counters were never dusted off enough.
It was never enough, so why act out as if Nightmare was in the wrong?
…Doesn't matter.
Nightmare taunts Dust. Surprisingly, he’s giving him a chance to live. To explain himself.
But stupidly, Dust doesn't reply.
Not even a plead, like how most would respond. Just a glare.
He’s stubborn. Stubborn and determined not to submit.
With a loud crush, Dust fades to dust.
He sighs, taking this as a lesson to himself. Listen to what Nightmare says, and you’ll stay out of trouble.
Do what he says.
Shaking off the sinking feeling he got after seeing that death, he goes on with his day.
Nightmare was testing Killer. He couldn't tell if Killer was passing or not.
Killer, he always did whatever Nightmare said. As he should.
But Nightmare never seemed satisfied.
At least, after a few months. He was bored of his obedience, he could tell.
There wasn't a place to ask why. Just a place to watch. Questions weren't needed.
It was funny, in a way. Everyone thought Killer and Nightmare were close, but that wasn't the case at all. If they were like that, then Killer would know about him.
Killer didn't even know where Nightmare came from. Killer didn't even know that Nightmare had someone else inside of him. Killer didn't even know how Nightmare came to be.
But that's good, in a way. If he knew that he existed, then he wouldn't respect Nightmare as much as he did.
Because he is weak.
Nightmare had summoned Killer into his room. Killer had obeyed.
This wasn't like usual, however. He could tell.
Nightmare never really complimented anyone. But he was doing it now, so something was off.
Of course it was.
What he made Killer do… It would be terrifying, horrifying even, to someone else. It would be like that to his past self.
But as he stares at his dust on the floor…
He can't help but feel apathetic to it.
He doesn't find himself trying to justify it, trying to find a reason why…
But he does find himself just looking, nothing felt.
Just used to all this violence he’s been surrounded in.
That's a good thing. The violence, the apathy towards it…
It shows he’s gotten stronger, after all.
He’s smarter. He’s stronger.
He needs to be more, though.
The destroyer, Error. Nightmare has shown a very strong interest in him.
Not that type of interest where he wants him to grovel under his feet, but another new type of interest.
He wants to be partners with him, cause pain and terror by his side.
It's one sided, he can tell. But he doesn't dare bring it up. It wouldn't even be worth it, as his counterpart wouldn't listen.
He's the weaker one, so what would he know?
So he watches, watches Error deny Nightmare’s advances. He wants nothing to do with him.
This results in anger. Because that's how he's dealing with the pain of being denied by somebody he actually showed some sort of care to.
Crying would be weak, because it is for the weak. And he knows for a fact that Error outmatches him in strength alone.
He admitted it himself, after all.
All he can do is watch as Error gets up from his seat, and attempts to push Nightmare aside as he leaves.
Attempting to avoid conflict after what he just did is futile, though. Nightmare won't allow him to leave.
With glance, and a flow of magic into the destroyer, he causes Error to fall to the ground. Nightmare wants him to feel the same pain he just made him feel.
He doesn't care if he's stronger, this is his domain. And he's the one in power here. The one in charge.
So Error passes out, and Nightmare drags him to the dungeon.
He doesn't normally take people there himself. Be it being because the glitch is dangerous, or him still caring, Passive can't tell.
-
Several days pass. Several universes go down with time passing.
Why? Error is the one destroying. Is there somebody else?
Who knows.
Nightmare is curious, of course. He is confused, as always.
"...Sir?" He starts, speaking up in forever knows how long.
This is important, surely? Maybe.
"What do you want?" Nightmare replies.
"Do you know why… why everything's dying?"
His counterpart sighs. "I have a few hunches, little prince. But I can't say for certain. And oh, how I hate that.
For now, I'll just keep myself entertained until that glitch wakes up."
"W- Why him?"
"You recall all those claims he has made? I am starting to wonder how much weight they hold. It'd be a bummer if he was actually sane though… I was planning on keeping him here for longer. I guess we will have to see when he awakens." Nightmare assumes.
"...Right." He replies.
Apathy. Only observing what happens, like always.
Error’s gone berserk. Destroying universes left and right, it's as if he doesn't care anymore.
Just like him.
But there's a negative to that. It's not like he cares about him, no. Just that somebody that powerful should at least have a grip on themselves.
He can feel it. Feel Error's insanity.
Error should've taken the deal. He would've had an ally. A strong ally, at that.
If he had, then maybe he wouldn't of lost it.
The destruction was fine before. But now? Now this is too much.
His counterpart is currently facing the glitch. The two meet from time to time. "Meet" as in Nightmare visits him. He's always the one visiting.
He means he's easy to find nowadays when he's out of his void. It's hard not to spot him, in fact. He's always destroying some universe, fighting some monster.
He can't tell if he enjoys it. He doesn't even know if Error knows how his own self feels.
"Nightmare. What are you doing here?"
Nightmare responds with a smirk. "Watching you. You seem to be enjoying yourself."
"I'm finally in control. I finally get to do something I want."
"Interesting."
"They hate it, Nightmare. They yell at me to stop. But I won't stop. They never gave a shit about me, so why should I give a shit about them?"
"You're right, Error. You shouldn't. They gave you that role of "Destroyer", so I don't see why they're complaining.”
Nightmare pauses . “ Destroying anybody who comes in your way and then some, I can't help but be jealous."
He stays silent. He always does when Nightmare talks. It'd be rude to interrupt, after all.
Besides, Error can't see him, can't hear him. If he spoke up, it'd just look like Nightmare was talking to himself.
And that would be embarrassing for the both of them..
Inside of him, he feels something brewing. If only he could do something. If it was up to him, he would have Error locked up until he gets his act together.
Hurt him, kill him, whatever it takes for him to stop.
He sighs. This is fun to watch for Nightmare, he knows, but…
This is too much for the multiverse. He doesn't want everything to die, as that would mean he would have nowhere to go.
If there's nothing, then there's nowhere to exist.
Hopefully Ink can keep up.
As he watches, apathy slowly changes towards hatred.
That feeling from before, it grows more and more.
Maybe he feels both, apathy and hatred. He doesn't know.
Maybe that’s a good thing. Nightmare says so, after all. Everything he says is right.
Maybe he should stop questioning… He was good at that before, but Error has him thinking.
He shouldn't think. He wasn't made to do that.
All the murder, the torture… That's what he was made to do.
Even though he isn’t doing it himself, he can still see it. Like a ghost, he watches.
He’s always been like a ghost. Back at the village, now here.
…
Part of him doesn’t like that.
But, this is what he’s meant to do. He isn’t a coward anymore.
Someday he’ll impress him enough to show that he should be the one in control. To him, though, he still has to learn.
Hasn’t he already learnt enough on how to hurt? He feels his empathy for these people turn into apathy. That’s what’s supposed to happen, isn’t it?
He says so. And he’s stronger than him, so it must be right.
It is right.
