Meanwhile with TJ

"Brother, are you sure he is who I should get for you? He doesn't seem to be who you say he is."TJ says

"He is! I swear to you he is!"He says

"Why is he scared and into someone else then? I followed him like you told me to and found him kissing another guy."TJ says

"He was probably forced."Charles says

"Nah, he seemed to give consent and like it. And he seems so unhappy with you. I just think if you love him, you should let him go. I don't want to be causing someone else's brother to be unhappy."TJ says

"I can prove it!"He insists

"How?"TJ asks

"Shoot him with this!"He says, handing a case

TJ opens this case and peeks inside.

"Are you sure? This is a real gamble. If something goes wrong-"TJ begins

"Yes! Nothing will go wrong!"He yells at him

TJ sighs.

"If you don't, I will disown you as my brother."He threatens

TJ questions if he really wants to be associated or related to him.

"Fine, but if it doesn't work like that poor guy gets hurt or it doesn't match for you, I'm cutting ties with you and putting you right back where I found you. IN JAIL!"TJ says

He leaves and makes his way to Allsun's home. He climbs up and peeks through the window. He sees Allsun asleep with Killer on him. TJ takes a gun from the case with a special dart to load. He hesitates. He looks at Allsun, asleep happily with Killer. Allsun sleepily smiles and wraps his arms around Killer, nuzzling his head and the paralyzing affects gone. Does he really want to do this to them? 

But he does want to know the truth. 

He loads the gun with the dart. 

He aims.

He locks in on target. 

The glass shatters. The dart pierces Allsun's arm, causing him to wake up and cry in pain. Allsun looks right at him.

"FUCK OFF!"He shouts at TJ

Then, he starts shaking dizzily and falls off the bed, out cold.

Lights start turning on. Killer begins waking up. People are waking up, even in other houses from the commotion. TJ takes one last glance at Allsun. Tears were going down his face, but then he starts to fade away. TJ flees, feeling guilt and a sin run down his spine. Now that he is getting to know another side of the story, he realizes what bad he could've been doing. Hurting innocents with his brother being the real threat. And he felt ashamed for assisting such deeds or evil. He heads back to Charles to see the promised result.

But that result did not come.

Soon, Dream's POV

I could hear the commotion from Science's place, where he was giving me some trusted chemicals to turn me back. It's succesful. I run of to get to Brother's home. I knock on the door and get let in by Ghastly. I go upstairs quickly and hear Killer calling for brother. I knock on the door to his room and Killer opens up with tears in his eyes. 

"They got him."He says

He lets me in and I see the broken glass by the window.

"Probably took him through there."He says

I feel myself step on something. I look and it's some kind of dart. I see something glow near it. I look to it and gasp.

"Killer, they didn't take him. But get Science in here ASAP."I say

Killer surprisingly did not question me and does as told. I kneel down and sweep the shards of glass away from Brother's soul. His soul is a light purple, showing he is a monster and perseverance. Then a weird thing happens. His soul getsa wave of orange run down it, like a scan or wave coming down it. It does not look good.

As the sun comes up, Science enters the room. My nephews peek in through the doorway worriedly with Palette. Science examines the soul, scans it with some invention of his and nods.

"It's Nightmare."He confirms

"Is he alright?"I ask

"Oh, far from it. But hey, he may not die!"Science says

"What do you mean?"I  ask

"He cannot take a physical form anymore. He is basically trapped as a soul. One that may be going on a wild trip. His soul cannot naturally crack unless it is desired. His soul, to put it simply, got contaminated with a very powerful chemical. One that I don't even have because of the dangers it can have."Science says

"What does contaminate mean?"Ghastly asks

"It's like when someone spreads germs when they break the no double dipping rule."Palette says

"Oh, I get it."Ghastly says, nodding Science looks at the dart.

"Someone shot from that window at him with a dangerous amount of the chemical, most likelyat his arm or something. Chances are that he woke up, saw the shooter, but the chemical knocked him out, making him fall out of bed which is why his soul is on the floor....I'd gues this dart had 12 ounces of the chemical, which is as dangerous as an overdose. If it wasn't shot properly, he might've been gone."Science explains

"What is so bad about this chemical?"Killer asks

"Well, it is very unstable. So unstable, it can kill the victim if given too much of it. Even 12 ounces was a gamble. It traps the victim in their own soul, unaware to anything. The only thing to protect itself is that it goes to the person they have the best bonds with, someone they trust most and feel safe around. There is no real way for us to free him. These chemicals can have personalized code for the victim to get, which is like putting a curse on someone that only they know how to break. The victim also loses their freedom in another way. Let's say the culprit gets the victim's soul. Well then they simply do what they got to do to undo the code, and they can recode the victim. Plus, when the victim reforms, the victim will be forced to do whatever the person that frees them wants, which is often the culprit. And based on the events lately, I think you can take a guess at who the culprit is, though only he knows while in this trap."Science explains

"TJ and Charles."Killer and I say

He nods.

"Papa is going to be ok though, right?"Ghastly asks

His brother leaves and Palette runs after him to reassure him that it's going to be ok. Killer kneels down to Ghastly.

"He sure will. Do not worry. Now, go have breakfast. I hear Fallacy is making pancakes."Killer says

"Alright. Oh phew! That bond thing happened! Now, Mr. Killer, I am trusting you with my Papa's soul. You better not fail me or we are gonna have some problems."Ghastly says in a serious tone

Killer nods.

"Uncle Dream, I know you won't hurt him. Cya three, er, four? Ya four at breakfast!"Ghastly says

I see what he means by the bond thing occurring. Nightmare's soul got up and went to Killer, hovering by his shoulder. Science smiles, proud to be right.

"That was no surprise."He says, then goes downstairs

"What was?"Killer asks

"Check your shoulder, Killer."I tell him

He sees Nightmare's soul on his shoulder.

"Nighty! Now I understand what the kiddo said more! I will keep him safe!"He says

Nightmare's soul nuzzles itself against Killer's cheek, as if hearing this and thanking him. Killer smiles at this. He reaches up to his shoulder to the soul.

"Wait no, Killer! Don't do-"I begin

He grabs the soul. It seems gentle, but a little too tight. It catches Nightmare off guard and the soul begins quivering.

"-that. Killer, you're scaring him. That may set him off. He might not think you're Killer now and-"I sigh

The soul slips out of his hand and flies over to me, hiding behind my arm.

"-might leave. *sigh* I know you were gentle but he has a bad experience with those. And he cannot see who he is with as a soul. He just relies on sensing soul beats nearby to figure out who is with him now. He may think you're Charles now..."I tell him

"What? How?"He says

Nightmare's soul comes in front of me. I cradle his soul in the palm of my hands. He is shaking, trembling with fear.

"Ssshhh, ssshh, it's me, Brother. Do not fear. It's Dream. I got you. You are safe. You're not with that jerk anymore."I tell him

He stops trembling. His soul leaps up and nuzzles my cheek.

"How do you know so much about what will trigger him?"Killer asks

"Umm....Brotherly instincts?"I say, knowing that's a lie

"Come on, be honest."He says

I shake my head.

"I told him I'd keep it secret for him."I say

"Wait, he told you something that he didn't tell me? He won't know if you tell me now."He says

"Yeah, but I know you well enough to know that you'll bring it up to him later if I do. There is no way for you to know unless you heard it from me, which would break his trust with me. Sorry, but I'd rather go to the Naughty Corner than do that."I say

Killer frowns.

Nightmare's soul goes back to him.

"You have some explaining to do later."Killer says to the soul

"Killer, focus on that later. What are we gonna do? We can't leave him like this. And for all we know, Charles or TJ could've programmed it to do who knows what! Could've coded it to erase his memories, o-or go to them, or hurt him or something! How can this be fixed?"I say

He thinks for a few moments.

"Let's have breakfast."He says

We go downstairs, where Encre, Fallacy, Jasper, Suave, Palette and my two nephews were having breakfast. I sit down and start eating with Killer beside me. Nightmare's soul hovers on his shoulder.

"Woah! What happened to Mr. Allsun?"Jasper asks

"An incident."Killer says simply

"Is monsieur gonna be ok?"Encre asks

Killer nods. 

"Are you sure?"Fallacy asks

Killer nods.

Suave wheels his way around the table and gently places a soft cloth on Nightmare's soul as if wrapping it in a blanket. He got a nuzzle to the cheek as thanks. 

After some time, I went back home. Everything seemed fine. Cross with the new kid Faith come over to me. They ask what happened and I explained what was explained to me. They nod.

A few days pass. Everything seems alright still, but then....

"Dream!"Killer's voice shouts

I look at him as I sit on the front steps, watching Palette and my nephews play. Nightmare's soul sat in a pocket of his shirt.

"Yes?"I ask

He chucks a book at me. I catch it and realize it's Nightmare's journal.

"Where'd you find this?"I ask

"In a locked drawer in his room that Ghastly found the key to in his memory box! But that's not the point!"Killer says

"Did you read it?"I ask

"It was either I did or Ghastly did!"He says

"That still doesn't justify it. This is private for him. Breaking his privacy is a big no no."I say

"Point is, look at the last pages he wrote on!"He tells me

I look at the pages. It told the truth. All that he experienced those weeks. Killer read it. He knows. Oh, Brother is gonna be so upset.

I look at him again.

"Is it true? Did you know? Was that what he told you but not me?"He asks

I do not answer.

"Dream."He says

"He didn't want anyone else to know. Not even you. He hated those experiences with everything he had and did not want others to know it. Because then it would be in their memory and lead to questions. Questions he does not want to answer. Because that would mean he has to go down that dark alley of memory lane to answer. And that was simply something he did not want to do. He also had a fear that the truth or his answers may change how people see or feel about him somehow. He feared what you may think even."I tell him

"So it's true? You knew? He told you?"He asks

I nod.

"But that doesn't make sense! Why would something he couldn't change affect how others see him?"He says

"He thought it will make him seem weak or useless. If he can't save himself, who would want to be with him? And there are always those kinds of people who question people with those.....experiences. Why didn't you fight back? Why didn't you do more? Were you really attacked? Etc. He feared that possibility."I say

"Oh....So when I held his soul-"He begins

"He got scared, flashing back to what Charles did to him. Yes. Now, I'll be off to the Naughty Corner."I say, getting up

"No....Thank you, but he won't know you told me. If I bring it up, which you're right, I most likely will, I will say I found his journal. He will never know that you told me."He says

I gasp, but not at him helping me.

"What?"He asks

I point to his shirt pocket.

Nightmare's soul is gone.

"Shit. Nighty! Nighty? Where are you?"Killer shouts

"You lost Papa?! You had one job, Mr. Killer! ONE!"Ghastly says, hearing his shouts

"We got it, Ghastly!"I say

I think for a moment. I get and idea. I focus and snap, then look at the ground. My vision is now in a infared kind of mode, but the kind for tracing magic or soul power. Every monster leaves a trail, wether it is footprints, DNA, etc. Even if there's just a soul, there's a trail as thin as breadcrumbs left. And I find two trails. One from a soul and another being a pair of footprints.

"Killer, come on!"I say, following the trail

He follows, then speaks once Ghastly and the kids were out of hearing range.

"What are you looking at?"He asks

"I see some trail. Nightmare and someone else."I reply

Then, Killer stops me. I look up and deactivate my infared sight, which was using a lot of magic. Killer points out TJ, standing where the trails would've ended.

He took Nightmare, most likely when Nightmare's soul was peeking out of his pocket.

"Hey! You!"Killer snaps

TJ looks over and jumps, then starts running away. Killer catches up and grabs TJ, lifting him up by the face roughly.

"Tell me what I want to know and you get to live."Killer growls

TJ nods, grasping at Killer's arm blindly to try and get put down.

Killer puts him down. I am completely silent. I walk over and stand beside Killer.

"Are you the one who shot my boyfriend or was it Charles?"Killer asks

"It was me. I'm sorry! I did it for his happiness or he will disown me!"He says

Killer got upset but clearly restrained himself.

"Maybe you should be disowned. If you're good, you wouldn't be hanging around him. Did you take my boyfriend?"Killer says

"Yes, I was trying to take the code off of the soul so he could be free. I realize I was on the wrong side and didn't know the whole story. I wanted to make up for my mistakes."He says

"Well then where is he?"I ask

"Charles caught me and took him. He just ran into the forest."He says

"Sorry, but I don't find it easy to believe you. Especially after you attacked our friends, nearly killing them!"Killer says

TJ looks at me.

"I didn't know he was bad. I thought he was just in love with your brother and something went wrong. I just wanted him to be happy. I would've done anything for my brother's happiness. Wouldn't you have for your brother?"He says

"Em, well yes."I say

"I swear I never meant for it to get to this extreme. There are limits. But can't you try to understand on the common interest for a brother's happiness? I didn't know better, I've been raised to obey him since he is better and older."He says

"I guess so."I say

"That's it, I'm getting my knives."Killer says, running back to the house

TJ gets back to his feet. He grabs my hand and points to the forest.

"Come on! We gotta get there quickly! Once Charles takes the code and chemical off of the soul, it will start reforming! And the code he put in the chemical is basically Disney's love at first sight! First person he sees when he wakes up is who he loves forever and any other memory is GONE!"He explains

Shoot.

He leads me to a pile of leaves. He sweeps some aside to show a hidden hatch. He opens it and leads me down it. We come out in some weird room that gave me the creeps. It was full of pictures of my brother, from a distance. The photos were wall to wall. It showed him outside, inside, eating, talking, sleeping, anything! It had everyone with him crossed out and if he was with Killer, Kiler's head was covered with Charles' head. It was creepy. TJ quickly takes me out of this room. He leads me up some stairs and hands me a blindfold.

"Put this on him while I handle my brother. I am not letting his memories get ruined."TJ says

I nod. He kicks a door in and tackles his brother. I run to Nightmare and blindfold him just as he's about to wake up. Charles is shocked by this attack and TJ ties him up. Nightmare is very confused. He reaaches out and grabs my arm.

"What the? Who's this?"He asks

"It is me, brother. It's Dream."I tell him

"What's going on? Why am I blindfolded?"He asks

"Something happened but don't worry. It's over now. The blindfold is for your own good."I reply

"Ok....? Whatever you say."He says

I get yanked to my feet.

"We gotta go."TJ says

I nod and help Nightmare up. I lead him away and TJ hides with us in a closet. Charles runs by. TJ leads us out and I smile. We go down the stairs and back through the tunnel. We climb out of the hatch and TJ locks it shut. Nightmare holds my hand tightly, unaware to anything. TJ hugs me close and apologizes again, but thanks me for giving him a chance or a bit of trust.

But he doesn't let go.

"Ahem."Someone says, very annoyed

TJ looks and sees Cross standing there. 

"Hands off of him. He is mine."Cross hisses, coming close

"Yes sir! Sorry!"TJ says

"Dream, why'd you go with him? Why didn't you wait?"Killer asks

"I had to, time was limited. TJ told me what was gonna happen to him and I didn't want to fail Nightmare and let it happen. Besides, we both are brothers. I know what it's like. I trusted him enough, though I don't exactly forgive what he chose to do. Now, unless you are okay with my brother loving Charles instead, I wouldn't get so mad at being left behind if I were you, Killer."I explain

Cross gets a sickening expression. Killer actually looked sick at that sentence. Nightmare bent down and puked.

"That's worse than you guessing that I had a crush on Fresh!"He tells me

"Wait, what?"Killer says

"I can explain. Another time."I tell him

"Why is he blindfolded?"Killer asks

"To keep a mistake from happening."I say

"Charles made the code in the chemical like a cupid thing. Basically so the Disney love at first sight would happen. Whoever he sees first he will love and any previous lover will be erased from memory. If he wasn't blindfolded then chances are, Killer would have been forgotten."TJ explains

Killer nods, understanding. He comes over to Nightmare, taking him by the hand.

"Kills?"He says

"Hey Nighty. We have some stuff to talk about, but that's for another time. Right now, I'm just glad you're okay."Killer says, lifting the blindfold up

TJ may be right. I see a lot of love in my brother's gaze to Killer. Then again, this is his Kills he is looking at. Cross pulls me close, away from TJ. He holds me protectively and smiles at the two as well. Nightmare leans in and kisses Killer. Killer picks him up and happily carries him. I feel Cross start shaking which is unlike him. I look at him.

"Cross? Are you okay?"I ask

He does not answer. He feels his head, shaking it. He places a hand on my cheek.

"C-Cross?"I stutter

He leans in and kisses me. His hand slides down shakily from my cheek and intertwines with my hand. He summons my soul and pulls back. My face burns and my soul pounds in clear view.

"W-What are you doing?"I ask

He feels it gently, holding my hand tighter.

"I love you, Dream."He says

He drops his weapon and drops to the ground, shaking.

"C-Cross?! What's going on? How can I help you?!"I ask

He does not answer. He shakes more and more. I kneel down, reaching to him but he slaps my hand away. Then he disappears.

"What the heck?"I wonder

I look over at Nightmare to see him just staring at small knives laying on the ground. Killer's knives. He looks at me, looking lost.

"Did he start shaking, kiss you, touch your soul, tell you he loves you, then fall and disappear too?"He asks

I nod.

"What the actual fuck?"He says in frustration

"I don't even know what's going on."TJ says

I can sense that he is being honest.

Then, I feel a tug at my soul. I find a string wrapped around it gently but not loose enough to take off. I feel along the string and see it extends from my soul, leading somewhere.

"You got a string too?"Nightmare asks

I nod. 

We hear laughter. We look up and Nightmare grabs me, trying to control himself. I couldn't tell if he was gonna cry or tear Charles apart. Charles stands high in the air on a magic pad. Two orbs float in his hands, strings drooping down from them and leading to us. I look closer at the orbs and see that there are souls inside! Cross is in one and Killer in the other.

"I had a feeling my brother would turn on me, so I did my own work. If you want something done right, you do it yourself. It was so easy! Shooting them with darts in their sleep! Then all it took was a simple snap and bam! Their souls came to me. So, I'll give you a day to make a choice. A trade even. One of you two brothers could come to stay and love me forever for the safe return of these two. If neither of you come, Nightmare and Dream, these two will die. Tick tock!"He says

"Do you think he sees the strings?"I whisper to Nightmare

"I sure hope not."He says

"What strings?"TJ asks

"Oh, talking about strings now? What? Are you gonna call Error for help? Well don't even try. There is no way a string will get near me. And if you do anything like bring backup or return after the trade, lives will be taken. Come alone. Only one of you. So long.~"Charles says

"He doesn't."Nightmare says

Then, Charles disappears with the souls. But the strings extend out, showing where to go. Nightmare falls to his knees in tears. He cries more than when he got hurt by Charles. 

"Let's head back and figure out what to do."He says

I take him and TJ to my house. Palette and Faith were there, playing with Ghastly, Fury and Goth now by the front porch. We go inside and X!Chara was staring out the window, watching the kids.

Nightmare and TJ begin to talk, but I went upstairs. I sit on my bed and shake my head. I feel the string as I think this choice over. Nightmare is my brother. I put him in this mess and that pulled Cross and Killer in it as well as everyone else in. Because of me. Nightmare and everyone have been put in danger because I decided to do something stupid behind Nightmare's back. Nightmare is hurt because of me. Killer and Cross have their lives on the line because of me. I think it over and over and come to a conclusion.

The answer to the trade was simple. I'll go. I started this mess and so I will end it. I can't lose them. I see how happy Nightmare is with Killer, and I refuse to be the reason that his joy is taken from him. But I cannot tell Nightmare my decision, surely he will try to talk me out of it. Sure, it's still going behind his back, but it will ensure that he has the chance to be loved, happy, and free. Everything he deserves.

I put a dark cloak on and wait for night to come. When it gets dark out, I climb out a window and lower myself down to the ground. I follow the string through the forest, leaving all weapons, tools or ways of communication behind. I left a note for whoever finds it to read, explaining the situation briefly and my choice. I reach a fence and there is a box in front. A sign says:Please knock on box twice. 

I do so and nothing happens.

Or so I thought.

"Hello. Which one are you?"A voice asks

I turn around and there is Charles, the orbs with the souls in hand.

I lower my hood.

"Ah! Nightmare too chicken to come himself and face love's truth?"He says

"I came on my own choice. He doesn't even know I'm gone. Now, I am trading myself for them. I won't let you get near my brother again."I say

"Ah, interesting. Well, he's welcome to visit anytime. He knows where to find us."He says

"So it's settled, release them."I tell him

"Oh, well I guess you could say goodbyes."He says, freeing Killer's soul first

Killer reforms and lands on his feet. He looks at me, seeing how upset I was. He comes over to me and I hug him.

"Please keep Cross and my brother safe. I am so glad my brother found someone like you to love and that Cross met you to call his friend."I whisper, slipping a picture in his pocket

He realizes what was happening. He nods.

"Of course. I'm glad he has a brother like you."He says

He steps back.  Charles lowers Cross' soul and the orb pops, Cross begins reforming instantly. I kneel down to him. This must be the hardest part. Tears fill my eyes.

"Hey, Cross..."I say

"Hey, Dream. What's wrong?"He asks

He doesn't even realize what happened.

"I'm just....really gonna miss you. I love you Cross."I tell him

"What are you talking about? Dream, I'm your protector. You aren't leaving my side anytime soon. Where are you going? Where you go, I go."He says

"I'm sorry but that isn't the case this time, Cross. This is best for you."I say, grabbing the string

"Dream? What are you-?"He begins

I break the string in half. It disappears.

"Now you can't come back and he can't come for you. Bye, Cross...."I say

He is in tears now.

"Dream? I don't understand...."He says

"Come on, Cross. We have to go."Killer says

Cross looks at him. Killer helps him up. Charles places his hands on my waist, resting his head on my shoulder.

"Pleasure doing trades with you. But no refunds and don't come back. This was a one time thing."He says

Cross frowns, trying to charge at Charles but Killer restrains him.

"It's okay Cross. I'll be ok."I tell him, though hardly believed what I was saying

Killer drags Cross away. Charles takes me inside.

"Can we set some ground rules?"I suggest

"Sure. I love rules."He says

I have him put both hands on the table. Don't want him crossing his fingers behind his back.

"No injections. No Disney or TV cliches. No rushing. Go at slow pace. Give privacy and space. DONT do anything without permission and of course use manners. Agreed?"I say

He nods.

"But I have my own rule. My 'love' must wear something special during their stay. And since that's you, that starts now."He says, snapping his fingers

My clothes change but I keep my cloak on, not liking it. I will just have to deal with it, knowing how my brother was treated when he rebelled.

"Fine."I say

He writes the rules on a paper. I read them over and nod. We both sign it and keep copies.

"Now, let me take you to your room."He says

I nod. He leads me upstairs and the moment I got inside, I shut the door and lock it.

"Oh! One last thing!"He says from the other side

I feel a yank at my soul. A black string is tightly wrapped around it, leading to the other side of the door.

"So I know where you are at all times! Sweet DREAMs!"He says, then leaves

I sit down on the bed but notice there are blood stains on the sheets. I engage my infared sight and realize this was where my brother was when he got stabbed in the spine. This was his room. This is unsettling. But then a voice pounds it's way into my senses.

YOU DID THE TRADE WITHOUT TELLING ME?! HOW DARE YOU! DREAM YOU IDIOTIC BROTHER! YOU CANNOT KEEP DOING THESE THINGS! I LOVE YOU! I DO NOT WANT THAT ASSHOLE TO HURT YOU! YOU ARE SO GETTING THE CORNER WHEN THIS IS OVER!

It's from Nightmare.

He's mad at me.

Very mad.

I'm doomed if I get back.

The only reason I sensed this message was because of the I love you part.

I chuckle to myself quietly.

Heh,at least I have something to look forward to.

I go into the closet of this room and find a spare blanket and pillow. I set myself up on the floor and go to sleep.

Gotta stay optimistic. Can't turn back now. Get some sleep. Tomorrow and every day after it will be a long one. The only easy day was yesterday.

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

TBC

Charles messed with the wrong fam >:3