As error and cross approach the porch they see killer sleeping in one of nightmares arms and dust sleeping in the other. Horror seems to be walking in circles looking like he's getting tired as well. Nightmare looks at them and sighs, "cross what happened? Your head is all scratched up."

"HE raN inTo a treE."

"Error!" Cross whines

"It's thE tRuTh."

Nightmare sighs, "please look where your going. You could end up in a ditch if your not careful." Cross nods and smiles, "That reminds me! Why is there no trees? Just that one dead one" nightmare pauses and looks at the two of them in thought. Shit. Kids are so fucking thoughtful sometimes. He sighs, "it's because the place was destroyed. The trees went with it And that also means you were close to the village... I don't want you going there... there's to much rubble... you could end up really hurt..."

Error and cross look at each other and nod slightly. Nightmare stands with dust and horror in tentacles and killer in his arms, "let's go inside... I need to get ready to go out." Cross and error follow him inside. Cross looks at him, "where are you going? Can we come?"

"No."

Fuck that sounded mean. Quick! "The reason is because it's not safe. If you go with me then you could be taken away."

Cross whimpers and grabs onto error, "there really is a boogeyman!" He gasps. Nightmare sighs, "no I wouldn't phrase it like that... just more people like us who don't like us..."

Error looks down and nods softly, "yeah I get it... just like... when I met that other kid. He played pretend and then left me all alone..." he tears up.

Shit. Nightmare puts the sleeping kids down and pulls error and cross close, "don't worry... all of you are safe with me. I will make sure you are never alone again... I will go handle these people... and you will be safe... error... your oldest so your in charge. If dust is hungry just warm up the formula in the fridge. I'm pretty sure it's safe but make sure horror and killer don't hurt themselves."

Error grips onto him and nods, "ok." Cross smiles, "can I help?!" Nightmare nods softly, "ok I trust you... I'm gonna be out for a little while... please be safe... don't open the door for anyone." He walks towards the door and looks at them one more time before leaving and teleporting.

Error looks around in thought, "Well... wAnNa dRaw until TheY waKe up?" Cross quickly nods, "ok!"

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Nightmare enters the void, the place still laced with nothing but blue string. He didn't know where error hid things but frankly he didn't care. He just had to make sure the trio of assholes stayed out. Ink tried too hard to make error be a good guy. Harassed him all the time. That's why error has been living with him and the gang a lot of the time.

Nightmare turns as he hears a portal and the chit chat of three voices, there they were... just on time.

"And red accidentally tripped. I felt so bad but he kept telling me it was fine."

"Oh blue that's so sweet."

"You should just ask him out already!"

Blue rolls his eyes, "no, he'll say no!" Ink puts hands in front of both Dream and blue to stop them from walking, "nightmare?!" Dream quickly looks forward in shock, "brother...? What are you doing here!?" He summons his bow in defense. Nightmare rolls his eyes, "making sure you don't trash the place."

Ink furrows his brow, "what? Error doesn't have any friends that I don't know about."

Nightmare chuckles, "people have their secrets you know..."

Ink growls, "well were here on a mission... and we'll complete it. If you interfere or not" nightmare sighs, "I'd like to see you idiots try..."

Dream looks at his brother up and down. This had to be an ambush! Where were the rest of them...? Error wasn't teamed up with them was he? Blue slowly gets into formation as the trio begins their attack. Ink runs in first as a distraction as blue and dream fire their attacks.

Nightmare knew this fight wasn't going to be easy. 3 versus 1. He can do this. He had to go back to his gang... they were defenseless...

Nightmare grabs the attacks with his tentacles and throws them to the ground. Grabs ink by the leg and throws him across the void letting him slam into the ground. Dream hisses and fires again quickly. It hits him in the shoulder. Doesn't matter too much. He quickly runs towards them letting the attacks fly through him. He usually would try to dodge but he didn't have the time to focus on such things. He could pull whatever remained out later.

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Error holds onto horror tightly as he's throwing a tantrum, "iT's oK hoRRor We'll eAt sooN!"

Cross grips onto killer who's trying to go upstairs, "cross let go! We should explore while we have the chance!" Cross whines, "no! Well get in trouble!"

While this is happening dust is screaming in tears.

Error was going to have a mental breakdown. He wasn't expecting them to be this much trouble. He tears up, "ENouGh!" Strings summon and grab horror and killer tightly, "we neeD to beHave!" Cross sighs in exhaustion and quickly rushes to get dust and runs into the kitchen.

Horror begins sobbing, "I'm hungryyyyyy!"

Killer gives up his struggles, "you guys are no fun..." he says softly. Error sighs, "please come home..."

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Nightmare flinches in pain. How were they still up? He's not well enough to be doing this. He had to get rid of them quick or he would collapse. Ink huffs out tiredly, "give it up!"

Nightmare growls, "not until you leave"

Dream stares at him in confusion. Still no one. What the hell his going on? "Ink! You and blue should head home and check around. None of the gang is here... not even error."

Blue whimpers, "can you handle this on your own?" Dream nods, "I might not be able to win but I can take up time. Go!"

Ink quickly grabs blue and takes him through a glob of paint. Nightmare laughs, "you know nothings even happening... now you've just lost the fight for sure, brother..."

Dream sighs, "not this time..." he charges up an arrow. This one is a shade of purple instead of it's usual blue. What is he planning.  This could be bad. Nightmare quickly rushes at him and grabs him but not before he fires.

That fucking hurts

Nightmare slams him into the ground and grips onto the wound in pain, "nice shot..." Dream slowly pushes himself up slightly and looks at him. Nightmare sighs, he needs to go home... nightmare yanks the arrow out and looks at Dream, "stay out of this place... error would hate know you guys are going through his privacy." He teleports away.

He looks at the door before unlocking it. He looks at the group of kids. Horror is tied up and screaming whilst killer plays with dust. Cross watching them curiously. Error is leaning against the wall in distress, "yOu'rE hoMe!"

Nightmare sighs, "yes... I'm guessing your hungry. I found something that I think you will all will like."

He got something from outertale. Something really special.

Dino nuggies.