Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"I'LL KILL YOU"

A shout woke Nightmare from his rest, followed by the sound of smashed pottery. He lets out a low groan as he sits up in his bed, rubbing his eye as he wakes himself up fully. More shouts and screams could be heard from downstairs. What a way to start a morning. Nightmare grew used to it by now, of course. He knew it would never be easy to form a team like this, especially with these sorts of monsters. He had expected, however, that they'd at least tolerate each other by now.

"QUIET DOWN YOU LOT." Nightmare shouts from his bed, shuffling from under the covers as his figure shifted from a comfortable wear to a more formal attire.

Of course, the skeletons down below didn't quiet down a bit. Instead, they grew louder, cursing and shouting. Another pointless fight, no doubt. Over something ridiculous, Nightmare is sure of it. No matter, Nightmare will make them quiet. He has done so before, and if he had to keep doing it, so be it. It was necessary, at least, he was told.

"How annoying. You can't control these wild animals, let alone your powers."

"Leave me be." Nightmare mumbled under his breath.

"It's been what, over 500 years? And yet, you still cannot control your powers properly."

"I can control them just fine; you just keep getting in the way."

The voice clicked its tongue, that is, if it had one.

"So you say. Yet I always have to take control and help. These monsters are weaker than you. You'd easily overpower them if you weren't so hesitant. Five hundred years, and you are still weak."

"Must you always pester me in the morning? I have enough to deal with regarding the skeletons that you insisted I recruit."

"What fun is that? It's so dreadfully boring being quiet. Besides, you wouldn't have gotten this far without me."

Nightmare lets out a sigh, opening his bedroom doors as he steps out. The voice in his head has been a part of him for 500 years. Ever since that incident. That horrible, awful incident. He still remembers it clearly. Nightmare snapped out of his thoughts as he heard another crash, followed by a thud and shouts. He grumbled out a swear as he walked down the long hall. His eye catches a yellow tail disappearing as a door creaks closed. Of course, they scared them. Nightmare heads down the stairs as he approaches the impossibly loud fight.

"Sounds like they're really going at it, how fun."

"Just another annoyance to deal with," Nightmare muttered in reply, dreading the idea of facing the monsters in yet another fight.

"I could deal with them easily, just let me take control for a moment and-"

"No, I can do this on my own. You don't need to do everything for me."

"It feels, though, I do. You mess things up so easily. It is entertaining, but it is awful for our goal."

"I can do it myself." Nightmare sternly repeats himself, his nonexistent eyebrow furrowed.

"All right, suit yourself. I won't get involved."

Nightmare inhales deeply as he reaches the bottom of the stairs. He slowly exhaled, giving himself a moment before continuing through the halls to get to the kitchen. The voice had told him to get these four skeletons for their goal. 

Horror, a sadistic skeleton with mood swings, who loves psychological torture. His bad memory gives no issue, as he makes up for it in his smarts and strength. 

Dust, a desperate and broken skeleton who would've done anything to kill a human child. His strength only grows in numbers the more he kills, while his sanity diminishes. 

Killer, the first one Nightmare grabbed for his team. Coming from a timeline where he feels as though he has no redemption, he soon submitted to Nightmare easily. 

Finally, there was Ccino. Ccino was not there for strength or smarts. Ccino, in fact, was not even much of a fighter; not anymore, at least. However, he gives Nightmare strength in another way: his negativity. Ccino's negative emotions are intense and potent. Mixed with the other three, Nightmare can easily recharge himself with energy. Plus, Ccino is a marvelous cook. As everyone else is busy going out for Nightmare's plans, Ccino stays at the castle, preparing meals and tidying up the place.

Unfortunately for Nightmare, these skeletons would not get along easily. They would always get into fights for either the smallest of reasons or because someone dared to say something inappropriate. Ccino would be the only one who would stay out of it and behave as he should.

As Nightmare neared the kitchen, he saw Ccino standing outside the kitchen doors, flinching and wincing every time a new loud noise was made. He turned around, his eye sockets widening as he noticed Nightmare.

"Oh, good morning, Sir. So sorry for the loud morning. I tried to stop it, I did." Ccino spoke in a light and soothing voice, a hand gripping the neckband of his sweater. 

"It's alright." Nightmare reasurred calmly. "What are they fighting about this time?"

"Horror instigated it this time… wouldn't stop implying that Dust probably enjoyed killing his own brother."

Nightmare groaned, rubbing his temple. "Of course he did. I'll handle it, thank you, Ccino."

Ccino gives a nod before walking off elsewhere. Nightmare lets out a sigh, standing at the kitchen doors before pushing them open, revealing the chaos inside. 

It was a mess. Bones and broken plates were scattered about in the kitchen. Horror was on the ground, Dust above him holding a bone with a sharpened end at his throat. Horror was holding Dust's wrists, both of them struggling as they fought. Killer was at the side, leaning on the counter as he watched with a smirk.

"Hey, boss!" Killer called out to Nightmare, giving a quick wave.

"You didn't think to stop them?" Nightmare questioned, approaching Dust and Horror.

"Nah. I wouldn't wanna make it worse."

Nightmare rolled his eyes. What a poor lie. Killer often instigated fights, intentionally or not. Horror managed to hike up his foot, kicking Dust off of him easily. Dust was about to summon another attack at Horror when four tendrils emerged from Nightmare's back, shooting towards Dust. Nightmare grabbed Dust, pinning his arms to the side and hauling him towards himself.

“We are not going to be doing this so early in the morning,” Nightmare stated flatly.

“LET GO OF ME!!” Dust shouted, struggling against the tentacles.

“Not until you’ve calmed down.” Nightmare’s voice was calm and controlled as he ignored Dust’s struggling, dragging him out of the kitchen. “Both of you will clean up this mess before I return. Do not make my morning worse.”

Nightmare closed the kitchen door behind him with a hard click, dragging Dust along with him. Dust’s shouts only continued as it turned into threats.

“LET ME GO- I’LL KILL HIM, I’M GONNA KILL HIM. I’LL KILL YOU!” Dust shouted and struggled as Nightmare ignored him, taking him to his room for him to calm down properly.

Once reaching Dust’s room, Nightmare tossed Dust inside, shutting the door and bracing himself against it.

“LET ME OUT!!!” Dust yelled, pounding on the door.

“You want to keep being treated like a child?” Nightmare asked, his irritation barely contained. “Calm down, or you don’t get out.”

Nightmare had a small bit of relief, in a way. At least it was one of Dust’s full, violent episodes. Those were far more dangerous and far harder to steady. It took Nightmare everything he had to bring Dust back to a passive state. In fact, Nightmare seemed to be the only one who could. He knows how to use his magic to calm someone down to tears, and to extract anger so the subject feels nothing. Still, there are things about his powers he doesn’t yet know. It’s been 500 years, and yet he still feels clueless about his own abilities.

Nightmare lets out a sigh, listening closely as the banging on the door grows softer and less constant. Until finally, Dust gave up and slumped down onto the floor near his bed. Nightmare opened the door, peering inside to see Dust heaving, still pissed off. Nightmare enters the room, closing the door with a soft click as he approaches.

“What Horror said was not right, that’s true. But you cannot lash out like this. I need every one of you alive and well.” Nightmare spoke quietly, crouching to be at eye level with Dust. “You are stronger than this. Don’t let him or anyone push your mood so easily.”

Nightmare’s tendrils crept towards the trembling skeleton, surrounding him carefully as a soft hum of magic began. Dust flinched, looking up at Nightmare. His fists loosened as his breath caught in his throat.

“I didn’t enjoy it.” Dust whimpered.

“I know.” Nightmare reassured. “I’ll leave you be for now. I'd better not hear more fights this morning, I have plans to work through after all.”

Nightmare stood, walking off to the door, yet pausing.

“If you’re hungry, you may go back downstairs to eat. For now, have some time to yourself and relax.” Nightmare gently shuts the door behind him, heading back downstairs to the kitchen.

He hated it when his mornings started off like this. For once, he’d like a morning of peace. Nightmare thought back to his childhood, to the mornings he woke up beneath the tree. Those were peaceful moments, just him and his brother together. Nightmare held his head, leaning against the wall as he sighed. Those moments were long gone; he knew this. But he can’t help but miss it. Nightmare stood there for a while, the faint clatter of dishes barely audible in his nonexistent ears. He rubbed his temples. Everyone in this castle was broken; that was true. Nightmare has to keep them all together despite the cracks, and he is trying. By the gods, he is trying. But it sometimes felt like trying to build a castle from ash.

Nightmare continued walking through the halls, going back to the kitchen quietly. The smell of pancakes and bacon wafted from the kitchen. A scent that was still unfamiliar to Nightmare, even after all these months with these broken skeletons in his home. Entering the kitchen, the wonderful smell filled his nose. Killer was digging into pancakes as Ccino washed up some dishes. Horror, meanwhile, was leaning against the counter, not eating a thing.

“Hungry, aren’t you?” Horror muttered, staring at Killer.

“No doy, Ccino’s food is the best. Aren’t you?” Killer’s words were muffled as he ate another piece of pancake. “Or do you have more of a taste for flesh?”

“I don’t have a taste for anything, not anymore.”

Killer snorted, shaking his head. “Sureee… except maybe a child’s arm, right?”

Horror shot Killer a glare. “I didn’t eat anything. It was one moment.”

Nightmare sighed, going to serve himself a cup of coffee as the chatter continued.

“Yeah, a traumatizing moment. We get it, you never ate anything for what, ten years? That doesn’t have to be the deal anymore.”

“Oh yeah, because it’s so easy, isn't it?” Horror scoffed with a smirk, tapping his fingers against the counter.

“I bet it's so much easier starving yourself, huh? Almost eating your adopted kid must be a breeze.”

Horror grips the counter tightly. “Easier than vomiting almost every day. My bad memory is worse because of it, too. Just a small fun fact for ya.”

Killer shrugs. “Must also be why you have such bad concentration during meetings.”

“Was that supposed to be a gotcha moment? Pretty weak.”

“Says the one with weaker magic. Must be another side effect.”

Killer happily chewed on another pancake, Horror watching quietly.

“You do know I go poop a lot more because of this, right?”

Killer chokes on his food, giving Horror a disgusted look. “The hell, man, I’m EATING!!!”

Nightmare grumbles under his breath, watching the scene unfold. He hated mornings. He hated them so much. It always went the same way.

Horror lets out a deep, loud cackle at Killer. “Aw, is your appetite ruined? Good thing it's only for ONE DAY, isn't it?”

“Screw you!”

“BOYS!!!” Ccino yelled, throwing his sponge in the sink as he looked at the two skeletons in anger. “We are not going to get into yet ANOTHER fight this morning! You already broke most of the plates in this kitchen, so I HAD TO GET OUT THE PAPER PLATES. Either you take this fight OUT of the kitchen, or be civil.”

The skeletons glanced at each other before slumping back in their seats, quiet and civil, like Ccino asked. Nightmare scoffed at the sight, taking his mug out of the kitchen and on his way to his office. After that mess of a morning, he really would rather spend the rest of his day in his office, working on plans with the voice.

“Well, that escalated.” The voice spoke smugly.

“Are you going to be helpful, or are you going to judge how I handled it?”

“Oh, please, I actually think you did a good job this time. You didn’t need my help at all. However, you could’ve been more authoritative about it. You are their boss.”

“If it’s not necessary, I won’t behave that way. Simple.” Nightmare went up the stairs, taking a sip of his coffee. The dark liquid was nice and warm down his throat.

“Hmph, if you say so. Don’t be surprised if they accuse you of being weak, though.”

Nightmare rolled his eye. “They won’t. They know better than to disrupt me. You’ve taught me well over these 500 years.”

“Of course I did. I was the one who saved you in the first place.”

Nightmare stopped for a moment, remembering that day. Why did he hate how true that statement was? No matter, Nightmare continued walking. Soon reaching his office, Nightmare shut the door behind him with a gentle click. He went behind his desk, getting comfortable in his seat before setting down his mug. Today’s work will mainly involve planning, strategy, and recording information as always. Nightmare didn’t mind. He preferred this over the screaming downstairs any day. Nightmare sat quietly at his desk, the scratching of his quill filling the quiet office. He found peace in these quiet moments in the castle. But the peace never does last.

“You cannot control them; they should fear you, and yet, they barely even respect you.”

“I will manage on my own time. They will respect me soon enough.”

“Oh, you are so sure of that, aren't you? Even if you have handled the situations well, you will still need me to set them back into place. Coddling them will bring you nowhere.”

Nightmare dips his quill in ink to resume writing. He is planning another Au raid. He has heard in his Au travels of someone reversing his progress. He’ll be sure to add that in his notes.

“Kindness can help us go a long way.” Nightmare quietly responds.

“Kindness is nothing but a weakness.”

“Depends on how you use it.”

The voice chuckles. “Maybe I have taught you well. Even so, don’t go too soft on them.”

“I won’t. Kindness will only be a tool for me.”

A loud thud and muffled shouting could be heard from downstairs. Nightmare lifted his quill, holding it tightly as he listened to another argument starting below. Of course. Of course, they would annoy him again. He would try to ignore it this time, simply returning to his writing. The yelling only seemed to increase. Nightmare exhaled slowly through his nose, his teeth clenched together as he paused his writing. Ink bled onto the parchment, spreading across the paper.

“Unbelievable.” He muttered, setting the quill aside.

“Like I said.” The voice hummed smugly. “Kindness can’t tame chaos, not for long.”

“Fear will only make them resent me.” Nightmare spat out, holding his head in his hands.

“It will have them respect you. You deserve nothing else.”

The chaos downstairs only continued, with a third voice joining in to try to calm it.

“You’re wrong.”

“When have I ever been wrong?”

Nightmare looks down at the ink spreading across the paper, his hand gripping the edge of his desk. He stood up abruptly, his chair scrapping across the floor.

“I’m done with this.”

“Oh?” The voice cooed, the smile audible as Nightmare walked out of his office. “You cannot leave your responsibilities so easily my boy.”

“I’m not leaving them, I’m taking a break.”

“A break? From the fighting? How weak. You have the power to shut them up for good yet you refuse to do so. You still have much to learn.”

“Yes, as you have told me countless times.” Nightmare grumbled as he looked down the stairs, hearing the fight escalating. “I just need a few minutes to myself. Just some peace and quiet, so I can think.”

“Hmph. Very well. If anything deadly happens, I’m sure we can find replacements, sooner or later.”

Nightmare clenched his fists, the sounds blurred together as he shuts his eyes.

“Just a few minutes… anywhere but here.” Nightmare muttered as he teleported himself from this damned AU.

He didn't know where he would be, but wherever he ended up would be better than this place. The cold atmosphere turned warm, and it only got hotter. He opened his eyes and looked around. It looked like he visited the Hotlands of an AU. Which one, it didn’t matter to him. At this point, all he wanted to do was relax, away from the fighting and the shouts. He looked around a bit, starting to walk in a random direction. He noticed an elevator in the distance, grey with red lights above. “L2.” He must be on the second level of Hotlands. If he remembers correctly, there’s a bakery on the third level. He cares not for any of the possible pastries they would sell there; he hates sweets. However, he was a tea fan. And a cup of tea sounded lovely right about now. Nightmare went up to the elevator and went inside, looking at the buttons. He pressed “L3” and waited. Leaned against the wall of the elevator, Nightmare finally could breathe.

“You’re boring.”

Nightmare’s non-existent brow furrowed as the voice spoke.

“You’re nonsense.” He replied. “If we want our plans to succeed, I must be able to think in my own home. I cannot do that when all these monsters do is complain and fight each other. Your strategy to force them to join me is nonsense.”

“My strategies show how powerful you really are.”

Nightmare scoffed, but didn’t argue. The elevator stopped, and the doors opened. Nightmare stepped out, looking around as he walked. No longer was there rock and dirt; now the floor was a hard, flat surface. Spider webs appeared at the edges of the platform as a bakery came into view, but no one was behind the table. Curious, Nightmare approached, looking at the goods on the table and webs. Donuts, croissants, and muffins. His voice sputtered out of his mouth in shock as he noticed the price. 9999g? How expensive. Even the spider cider was expensive. “Made with whole spiders, not just the juice.” What does that even mean? How intriguing.

“May I help you?” A voice from above spoke.

Chapter Text

Nightmare tilted his head up towards the voice. Hanging upside down from a web strand was a spider monster. Her lavender exoskeleton glinted faintly in the warm light, five eyes blinking with a smile underneath.

“Welcome to the Spider Bakery, all proceeds go to help real spiders!” She chirped, lowering herself down.

As Nightmare got a better look at her, he noticed that this version of the spider monster was more chubby than her other counterparts.

“Would you like to make a purchase?” She asked, twisting her body as she gracefully landed her heel on the ground. “Or are you here to stare at the prices like everyone else?”

Nightmare hesitated, looking at the drinks that were offered.

“That tea, what kind is it?” He asked, pointing towards one of the kettles.

“Golden flower tea, but with a hint of spider.” She said with a smile. “Smooth, calming, a touch of bitterness. Good for easing the nerves after a long morning.”

Nightmare raised a non-existent brow. “You might be surprised how accurate that sounds right now.”

Nightmare looked at the price again. 9999 g. It’s a bit much, but he can afford it.

“You’re not actually going to purchase that, are you?” The voice questioned.

Nightmare grumbled under his breath, reaching into his pocket.

“You’re kidding me. Seriously?”

“I’ll have a cup.” Nightmare offered the spider monster the amount.

Even though it's horribly expensive, he had a rough morning. He’d take anything to steady his nerves and relax. Besides, it's not like it made much of a dent in his pocket. He has his ways of getting more cash.

The spider monster seemed surprised at first, eyeing the cash in Nightmare’s hand before taking only it.

“Alright, dearie, wonderful choice too! You seem to have had a rough morning, fuhuhuhu!”

“You have no idea.”

Nightmare watched as the spider monster poured the tea. It was a dark golden color, with a bitter yet floral scent. Once he was given the tea, Nightmare took a sip. It was smooth and bitter, just like she said. Perfect. Probably the best tea he’d had since childhood. He lets out a sigh of satisfaction, looking down at the hazy liquid in the cup.

“Well? How do you like it?” The monster asked, resting her upper hands on her hips, with her middle arms crossed.

“It's exquisite.” Nightmare’s nonexistent lips curled into a soft smile. “I haven’t had tea this good since childhood.”

“A childhood now gone. Better that way. You know how they treated you.”

Nightmare’s smile faded as the voice spoke. He was right. Memories of the torment he suffered as a child flooded back as he stared into his barely visible reflection in the tea. His grip on the cup tightened slightly, his nonexistent brow furrowing.

The spider monster’s expression softened, a curious look on her face forming. “Bad memories?”

The voice chuckled. “Oh, not bad, more terrible. But there is no use sulking over it. That moment shaped who you are. No need to pretend it doesn't. You are better off this way.”

Nightmare cleared his throat, looking up at the spider monster with a new smile. “Not at all. Just nostalgic, I suppose.”

“Hmph. How quaint. Having tea, with small talk on the side. As if you aren't someone that should command respect.”

Nightmare ignores the voice. “What is your name?”

“Muffet, and you?”

“Nightmare. It is nice to meet you, Muffet.”

Muffet smiles, giggling a bit. “It is nice to meet you, too, Nightmare. You don’t really seem to be from around these parts, are you?”

“I’m not.” Nightmare answered, taking another sip of his tea.

“Oh? And where are you from? Snowdin perhaps?”

“I’m from somewhere very far away, let's just say that. Hm?”

“My my, a mystery man! How fun. You must have quite the amount of stories then.”

“Hm… quite the amount indeed.” Nightmare agreed.

“Tell me a little. Indulge me.” Muffet prodded, leaning against the table, towards Nightmare.

Nightmare lets out a soft chuckle. “Well, I don’t know about that…”

“Oh come now, dearie, don’t be such a tease.” Her eyes glittered with curiosity as she leaned closer, propping her chin on her upper hand. “You can’t just tease a spider and then leave her hanging. You might as well owe me it.”

“Is that so?” Nightmare tilted his head, swirling what remained of his tea in his cup.

“Of course. I did serve you the best tea you’ve had since childhood, fuhuhuhu!” Muffet tapped one of her lower hands against the countertop. “At least humor me.”

Nightmare lets out a hum, setting down his cup. As he opened his mouth to speak, the voice spoke up.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to entertain her. I wonder, will you tell her how pitiful you were? Very well then. Get attention. Get options. That's what you deserve, don’t you?”

Nightmare shut his mouth, his hand balling into a fist before unclenching.

“Well… I was… different as a child.” Nightmare began. “I used to be by my brother’s side all the time. He would stray away some days to help others…”

“He abandoned you.”

“I have had my share of… bullies most days back then.”

“You were weak and pathetic. However, because of me you survived, because no one else cared enough to help.”

“I never told my brother about it.”

“He let it happen, not like he could understand.”

“I managed to start anew after an… unfortunate event.”

“Hah! That’s one way to put it.”

Muffet tilted her head, her smile bright. “Sounds to me like you skipped out on the details.”

Nightmare chuckled. “Maybe I’ll allow you to hear the details another time. For now, I’d like to enjoy my peace.”

“If you say so, dearie. Refill?” Muffet held up the kettle as she offered.

“That would be lovely.” Nightmare held up his cup, watching as more of the golden liquid was poured into his cup.

As he took another sip, a few of the smaller spiders started to crawl from under the table towards Nightmare. Nightmare noticed, watching as one spider climbed onto his sleeve, its tiny legs tapping gently against the fabric.

“My, my,” Muffet cooed, her smile widening as more of her little friends gathered. “They seem to like you.”

“It seems so…” Nightmare chuckled.

“They must sense some sweetness about you.” Muffet giggled.

“What a horrid insult.” The voice spat out, almost amused. “How enjoyable it will be to command fear from her.”

Nightmare once again ignored the voice, instead watching as another spider climbs up the table and towards Muffet. It gently taps Muffet's arm, grabbing her attention.

“Oh? What is it?” Muffet lifted the spider to where her ear would be. “I see… mhm… oh! Well, that’s interesting…”

“Something the matter?” Nightmare asked.

“The opposite, actually!” Muffet chirped as she set the spider down. “I have been told that there’s a restock of goods at the shop. I’ve been meaning to refill on supplies.”

“Interesting…”

Nightmare ignored the voice yet again. “You mentioned proceeds go to real spiders, what do you mean by that?”

“Oh, simple. Some of my spider folk are trapped in the ruins. We can’t easily go through snow, you see, especially not the little ones. So we are raising money for safe transportation.”

“I see. I hope you reach your goal.”

“Thank you! Very appreciated.” Muffet gave a nod, her smile bright as the smaller spider crawls off the table. “I do wonder, though, what brings someone like you to a place like this? You don’t strike me as the type to wander far just for a cup of tea.”

Nightmare tapped the edge of his cup, letting out a soft hum. “I needed time alone to think. I tend to travel a lot to think.”

“Anything you’re getting away from?” Muffet asked graciously.

“I can think of many things.” The voice sneered.

“A few things, yes. Regretfully, I must return to them soon.” Nightmare admitted, taking a sip of his tea. “I assume I’ll have to pay for the refill?”

Muffet chuckled, hand over her mouth. “I think, this time, I’ll let it be free. You seem to have needed it.”

“How kind of you. At least let me tip you.” Nightmare smiled, reaching into his pocket and offering 99g to Muffet.

Muffet’s eyes widened before her gaze softened, taking the money. “You’re too kind. No one has ever offered me tips before.”

“Glad I can be the first.” Nightmare sets his cup down a final time. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to start heading back.”

“Of course, have safe travels, Nightmare.” Muffet smiled, giving a small wave.

Nightmare nodded, walking off to the elevator to leave.

“She was annoying.” The voice mumbled.

Nightmare waited until he was in the elevator to respond. “I found her lovely.”

“Of course you did. Although…”

“What?”

“Her spider friends. They seemed… useful.”

Nightmare lets out a sigh. “What are you thinking?

“I’m thinking, we get her on the team.”

Nightmare’s gaze moved to the flickering light overhead as the elevator descended.

“And what makes you think she would agree to that?”

“Oh, please, someone like her is bound to have a price to work. And it's clear what that price is. The very thing that makes her useful.”

“I won’t threaten her, not like I did the others.”

“Who said anything about threats?” The voice spoke with mock offense. “All I’m suggesting is that you pay attention to the things she said. Think Nightmare… what did she say about her spiders?”

Nightmare sharply exhaled through his nose, closing his eye. “Easy, she mentioned spiders trapped in the ruins. But what am I supposed to do about it?”

“Simple. Save the spiders. An amateur can do this.”

“Are you suggesting using kindness? After calling it weak?” Nightmare smirks.

“It is only weak when you expect nothing from it. It’s merely leverage with a kinder face. Let them believe we’re kind. She was practically asking for help. Why not give it to her?”

The elevator dings, and the doors open.

“Maybe you’re onto something…” Nightmare regretfully admits it, as much as he didn't want to. He knew why the voice was eyeing Muffet.

“I am always onto something. Her spiders could be our eyes. And as the number of spiders grows, so does our view of the multiverse.” The voice spoke smoothly, whispering in Nightmare’s head. “All we have to do is save a few spiders.”

“…Alright. But first, we’ll head back to the castle. I’m sure I left it in a mess.”

“Very well.”

Instead of stepping out of the elevator to leave, Nightmare crossed his arms and leaned against the elevator wall, phazing out of the AU. He knew he’d have to return to the castle sooner or later, no matter how badly he hates it. He rematerialized in the main hall of his castle, shadows clinging to the edges of the corridor. He stepped forward, his shoes tapping against the floor as he walked with confidence. The familiar chill of the castle was unwelcoming as always.

“Home sweet home.” The voice murmured.

A thump was heard, followed by yelling. Nightmare’s eye flickered over to the source as he gritted his teeth with irritation.

“Unbelievable.” He muttered, his tendrils flexing behind him as he approached the noise.

“You didn’t really expect them to behave while you were gone, did you?” The voice purred. “You left three unstable monsters alone in a castle for a weaker one to deal with. How naive of you to expect anything different.”

“Shut up.”
“This kingdom we’re building will crumble if you don’t take the proper actions.”

“Shut. Up.”

Nightmare was tired. Nightmare was furious. His moment of peace and tranquility was washed away as soon as he re-entered the castle. He continued through the halls, following the noise to its source. As Nightmare approached the stairs, he heard a yell and looked up just in time to see Killer falling down towards him. Nightmare shot out his tendrils towards Killer, catching him and gently setting him straight.

“Whoa, Boss? Thanks, uh… I can explain…”

“You better.” Nightmare’s tentacles retreated behind him, slithering inside his back.

“Well, uh… I may have started… this one… But but! I tried to take it back!”

Nightmare raised a nonexistent brow.
Killer swallowed the lump in his throat. “Yeah, that doesn’t help, uuuh… the kids are safe at least?”
Nightmare rolled his eye, walking past Killer up the stairs and to the second floor. The scene before him was chaotic. Bones littered the corridor, and pictures hung crooked or lay broken on the ground. Horror stood at the center, his back to Nightmare, as he held a large femur in his hand. Dust was across from him, a sharpened bone in each hand as he breathed heavily under his hood. A door stayed ajar, where Ccino stayed, watching the fight as two little shadows behind him hid.

Nightmare cleared his throat, and the attention turned to him. The silence was deafening.

“Explain.” Nightmare said as he stood there, arms crossed.

Dust lowered his hands, the bones disappearing as Horror let out a scoff.

Nightmare squinted at the skeletons. “Now.”

Killer walked up, hands in his pockets, as he coughed to get Nightmare’s attention. “I uh… teased Horror a bit.”

Horror grumbled under his breath, glaring daggers at Killer.

“Teasing, how?” Nightmare asked.

“Well, I sorta said… he failed Aliza???” Killer said so as if it were a question, shrugging his arms.

“DID A LOT MORE THAN THAT-“ Horror started, but stopped as Nightmare held up his hand.

Dust smirked, chuckling quietly.

“Of course, you find it funny, you freak.” Horror spat out at Dust.

“Whoa there, pal, watch the insults. I may be a freak, but you’re the one who tried eating your own kid.”

“At least I didn’t kill my own brother for no reason.”

Dust’s smile faltered. “It was to stop the resets. How many times do I have to say it?”

“And how many times saying it will put it in your head?” A smirk twists onto Horror’s face. “It’s a pointless battle. The human will reset and keep going anyway. You are doomed to fail.”

Horror leaned in. “You’re the real sicko between the both of us.”

“Horror.” Nightmare called out, walking to step between him and Dust. “That’s enough. What does Dust have to do with this?”
“He sorta laughed after I called Horror weak if I’m being honest.” Killer mumbled.

Nightmare looked to Dust. Dust shrugged. “It’s true.”

Nightmare lets out a sigh, holding the bridge of his nose. “Ridiculous. Just ridiculous. I leave for less than an hour, and already you’ve made a mess of the place.”

Nightmare looked to Dust, then to Horror. “You both will clean this mess. Every broken shard, every crack, and if I hear another fight today,”

“You’ll let me take care of it. Properly.” The voice murmured.

Nightmare ignored it. “I will personally remind you what happens to those who defy my orders.”

Nightmare walks up to the room Ccino was in, opening the door. “Is everyone here alright?”

Ccino nodded as two little heads poked from behind him. A skinny human girl with brown hair and a green ribbon, as well as an armless yellow monster with a sweater and a burnt orange hood.

“They’re a little shaken up,” Ccino said, looking down at the kids. “But otherwise okay.”

“Perhaps… a treat for the trouble would do them good?” Nightmare suggested, looking to Ccino.

Ccino gave a small smile, looking down at the children. “I think they would like that.”

The monster kid nodded, while the human child shrugged.

As Nightmare stepped aside to let Ccino and the children leave, he could better see their appearance.

Aliza, the human child, was a small girl with long brown hair and a thin, faded green bow. She wore a purple dress that had faded to a pale violet and a fluffy jacket on top. One of the arms was tied in a knot where her right arm should be, as it had been torn off by Horror a year prior. She remains barefoot even when shoes are offered to her.

MK, the monster kid, was a yellow Dino monster with no arms. They had brown legs and a long yellow tail, with pale yellow spikes coming from their head and out of their burnt orange hood. They had six teeth sticking out with their mouth closed, and despite the dreary circumstance, there was still more life in MK’s eyes than in Aliza’s.

“I still don’t know why you let those monsters bring children of all things to a place like this. Not the brightest move, honestly.” The voice whispered

Nightmare gritted his teeth, turning to face the other skeletons as Ccino left the hall. His gaze went over all three, his disappointment clear, before he turned and left for his room.

Killer started to step away, going to leave until-

“And, Killer, you will help them clean. You are no less responsible.” Nightmare ordered, slamming his bedroom doors shut. The sound echoed through the hall as the skeletons begrudgingly began their clean up,

“Feisty, aren’t we?” The voice purred.

“Quiet. My morning was already ruined enough.” Nightmare held his head, rubbing at his forehead as he let out a drawn-out sigh. “I need to think.”

“Then think. I’m not stopping you.”

“Hard to think when you are constantly pestering me with your endless nagging.” Nightmare huffed as he walked to his bathroom.

An early shower should help clear his mind. Again. He can never get a moment to think in this castle.

“My nagging is what brought us this far. You’d be lost without me, Nightmare. Sure, I can go quiet now to let you soothe yourself, but sooner or later, you’ll come crawling back to me. It is inevitable.”

The voice went silent, and Nightmare finally felt at peace. He lets out a slow breath, his body shifting away his clothes as he turns on the water of his shower. Stepping under the shower, Nightmare relaxed as the running water cascaded down his bones. He could finally think. The spider monster from before came to mind. Muffet. She seemed nice. He actually enjoyed someone’s company for once, even if they were a bit greedy with money. Even so, he had to focus on the plans for power, so he would never be hurt again. Nothing else mattered. Still, he would genuinely like to see her again. He’d have to make plans.

Chapter Text

I’m sorry, but after recent news I’m too disgusted to continue posting this here. Archive or not, real children should always be protected. You can read the fanfic on Wattpad. Updates will be recorded on my tumblr (nightsilkblog) and instagram (nightsilk_beloved) as well as my tiktok (mochachill38)

Again, I’m sorry.