Dream's POV a day or two later

Uuuggh, my head...Where am I?

I glance around, seeing that I am in a dark space, then glance up to see that I'm stuck with Nim.

You've got to be kidding me.

"Dream, I really feel that we need to have a talk about your behavior lately. You have been losing your way so badly lately. You seem to not work hard enough anymore, if at all. Heck it seems like you have allied yourself with your brother who is the root of the problem! You're supposed to be a hero and spread positivity to the multiverse, not team up with the likes of HIM!"She snaps, continuing to rant but I tuned her out.

My fists clench as I wait for her to notice that I wasn't listening. But she only continues to rant, complaining and trying to scold me. Common words that keep slipping through are "not good enough", "do more" and "Nightmare" or "your brother" combined with "bad influence".

"Oh I am sorry, do you expect me to live my life working until everyone is eternally happy or die from burning myself out, whichever comes first?"I ask sarcastically

"Was....Was that sarcasm?"She asks

"Yes, yes it was. Cuz I am not going to live my life fighting my own brother or working myself into insanity for people that don't respect me or appreciate me! And you can't be dumb enough to expect such impossible results from me when it comes to positivity in the multiverse! They would also break the delicate balance and no matter what I do, there will always be something they want to complain about or some issue that rises up! Not just my brother! And I am not responsible for them being able to handle their life! You can't be stupid enough to expect that of me as if I am just a servant for others' enjoyment or not even a person! Oh wait, you are! Cuz that's all you saw Nightmare as or treated him as! You let him and treat him like a scapegoat for all the problems that you see and blame him for it, dismissing any hint of him being a person deserving respect or happiness!"I snap at her

"I see that you're upset, Dream. But-"She begins

"Oh do you now?! What gave you that idea? And don't you dare try to reset this because my FEELINGS taint me or my ability to do my so-called JOB! You have no right to talk down to me about MY life! And don't you dare feel like you have the right to comment about me slacking off when you couldn't even leave the tree for two minutes to tell me what Nightmare was going through that in the tree you could witness or to help keep our lives from falling apart! Where were you when Nightmare was in trouble? When he was getting beaten or hurt? When he was scared and about to eat the apple? Oh right, hiding in the tree and providing no help! Any other day it was no issue for you to appear, but when we NEEDED YOU, you couldn't be bothered to deal with the issues for your own creations! YOU played a role in me losing my beloved brother for over three centuries! And yet here you are, able to show up only to complain about the wreckage after the storm you avoided! You have some nerve!"I shout, letting out all my fury that I kept bottled up.

She stares at me in shock, looking horrified at the fact that I'm standing up to her.

"There's a phrase that I learned that seems fitting. You shouldn't throw stones living in a glass house, but in your case it would be a glass tree. You have no place to be making these comments because you are no better in this situation than me. Do you even realize the pain that this situation that you neglected caused? I was put into a life that I didn't ask for but followed in hopes of being rewarded with love and respect. I had no real choices, it was already chosen and directed for me to be at my best and help others be happier. That was my purpose, to be flawless and couldn't ever show a hint of negativity or self-respect if someone doesn't treat me right, stars help me if I frown for even a moment instead of a radiant smile. My life isn't my own, it's for others and for me to fix their lives. I can't be happy if others aren't. That was made clear since day one. The only one who I was able to be free and understood...to feel loved genuinely by....was Nightmare..."I shout at her, all my feelings spilling out

My hands tremble and I feel my body shake, though my fists still clench tightly. But I couldn't stop. The cap came off of the bottle and now there's no way to stop it. I'm done being a toy for her or others to toy with without an ounce of respect or appreciation. I won't give up my life that I've crafted and worked to get for the misery I am expected to endure for eternity. I won't turn my back on my brother.

"But guess what? Nothing was ever good enough and it never will be. My attempts to please Nim and everyone costed me the time to care for myself or make sure the one who mattered most to him was happy, Nightmare! We've suffered enough and I believe that we have given up our happiness for others long enough! Nightmare has gone through hell and I am done being the perfect golden battery for others to drain or little hero to come at their call and expect to fulfill their every need. I am going to value my own mental health and happiness! I'm going to live my own life, my own HAPPY life with my brother and all who we have close to us. I don't care if Nim doesn't approve, you can stay out of it! I don't want you in it if you're going to ruin it!"I tell her firmly

I take a few breaths as it falls completely silent. I feel my soul pounding louder and faster than it ever has before and then tears roll down my face. I wipe them, laughing a bit.

"If there's issues with me having independence than you can leave. We deserve happiness...And no, Error is not coming with me. He is just fine with Brother and I'd appreciate it if you stop bothering him. He isn't broken or wrong in any way and doesn't deserve to be your new target. I'll still do my part to spread positivity, but within reason. I'm done trying to please you and everyone because it only costs me the ones that truly matter. Not anymore...How silly that I ever tried it to begin with...Why didn't I think of this sooner...?"I chuckle through tears, shaking my head and glaring at her.

Nim is silent, then shows a dangerous spark in her eyes with a grin.

"It seems that you've been getting distracted or worse,brainwashed. But don't worry, that will be fixed soon. I will take care of that by getting someone crossed off of the list."She says, snapping her fingers

I frown, seeing her smile and laugh to herself. I search my senses for positivity and locate it, teleporting to an open field and spot Cross wandering through it. I see spirits in the shadows aiming at him. I grab Cross and pull him down quickly.

"Gah! Dream! What are you-?"He begins

"Sssh! Stay down!"I tell him, summoning a blade and blocking darts and arrows from hitting him.

The attacks keep firing and I frown, blocking them from him and then chainging to firing arrows to keep them back. Then a see a cannon appear, preparing to blast.

"Sorry about this, Cross. Blame Nim."I tell him, teleporting him away as he still looks confused

I smile, sure that he is safe at Nightmare's castle. Then I feel the blast knock me down, the attackers leaving afterwards saying that Cross shouldn't have survived that. It hurt to move and I slowly shut my eyes.

When I wake up, I find myself bandaged and in bed. I feel a hand on mine and glance over to see Brother beside me.

"Cross told me that Nim caused trouble and told me where to find you. What happened?"He asks

"Nim thought that I haven't been doing enough and wanted to get rid of the distractions brainwashing me. She hinted that she was going after Cross first and got him away before he could get hurt. Sorry about that..."I say

"Nothing to be sorry for, Dream. I'm just glad that you're okay."He says, hugging me close to him

I pause, part of me surprised. Then I smile.

Worth it...

TBC