Cross' POV

I gaze at Dream, frozen in fright and pinned to the ground. He looked like how Nightmare usually does, only a small space around his eyes remaining. I could see the fear in his eyes. 

What are you doing? Fight that freak! Get outta there!

No!

What? Why not? Do you wanna die? Because if you don't fight it, I WILL!

That's not an it! That's a he! That's Dream!

Say what now? How do you know?

I recognize his eyes! 

Ya, you gaze at him like a loverboy enough. But you need more proof than that.

"Dream?"I call

Dream looks at me.

"Is it you? Timeline 22X5-78D92M? Blink once if no, twice if yes."I say

Dream blinks twice.

Okay, that's fair.

"Can I get up? Are you okay?"I ask

The goop consumes him.

"He can't answer you right now. And my bosses want you so unless you will come willingly, than you can't get up. I'm fine, not sure about him."He says, tentacles coming closer

Bad sign! Time to get out!

Chara takes control and swings a fist, punching him in the face. Some goop comes off and I can see Dream again. He looks scared.

"Come on, Dream! You can fight it!"I tell him, taking control

He shakes his head no.

"Yes you can! I know you! You're way stronger than you think!"I tell him

He gets off me. I sit up. He holds his head and shakes it.

What are you doing? RUN!

No! He needs help!

He's gonna kill you!

No, he won't! I know Dream!

Well, if you haven't noticed, he isn't himself!

Doesn't mean we leave him!

Yes it does!

Dream looks at me and I could see tears in his eyes. He backs up but the tentacles fire at me. I dodge them and come over to him. He looks at me in shock and fear.

"Come on, Dream. I know you. You're my friend. I care about you. You can do this. Besides,"I say, reaching out to his hand

"I'll be with you every step of the way. You can get through this. You're amazing like that."I say, smiling

His eye lights shrink. The little bit of his actual face that I could see lights up brightly. I grasp his hand and hold it tightly. 

Then, I watch as the goop shrinks away until it's a little spot beneath his crown. He looks at me.

No way....

Dream did it!

"C-Cross?"Dream stutters

"I'm here, Dream. You did it! I knew you could!"I tell him

He stumbles closer.

"I'm trying to, at least."He says

I pull him close and hold him gently in a hug. Gotta keep him steady.

"What happened to you?"I ask

"Fresh...injected me with something....Poison, you could say. He calls it Nightmare's apple juice and claims it comes from Nightmare's apples....Fresh took me away from the house after setting trouble up. He sent me to find you, but it was really the darkness he was telling. I couldn't choose or have any control. I was just there for the ride, a witness you could say.."Dream says

I know how that is.

Hey! I give you control!

Hardly.

I'm sorry that I don't let the one who wants to stab bystanders for their chocolate randomly. We're in enough trouble. AHEM.

....Fair point.

"Is everyone ok?"Dream asks

"What do you mean?"I ask

"Fresh had the darkness do something to some of our friends. I heard some yells earlier and then Fresh said that Ink, Dust, and Geno have been sent away. Something about A!Tale and cords X:1009 Z:34675. Please tell me that isn't true. They are okay right?"He explains

"I...I don't know. I was out on a stroll and I have no clue what's happening. But I'm sure it'll all be okay. Do not fear, Dream. I'm here for you."I say

"I feel so tired....B-But I..."He says

I sit down. I bring him gently down with me and let him lay against me. I put an arm across him and place a hand on the back of his skull.

"Then rest. I'll be right here when you wake up. I promise. I'll give you an update the moment I get it. I told you I'd be here every step of the way and I meant it."I tell him with a smile and feeling my face warm

"You sure?"He asks, his face bright

"Yes."I say

No.

"O-Ok..."He says, shutting his eyes

He dozes off peacefully.

He's amazing! He's so charming when he sleeps!

Bruh. T_T

What?

He. Tried. To. KILL YOU!

No, the darkness did.

You need to get out of here!

I made him a promise. I am not breaking it.

Cross, you idiot! You're signing a death wish!

I am not!

Then get out of here!

No!

My phone rings. I take it out and answer it.

"Hello?"I ask

"Cross! Get yourself over here right now!"Nightmare snaps

"I'm busy."I say

"Well stop whatever you're busy with and get over here! We can't lose you as well! We already lost Geno, E!Pap, Dust and Ink!"He snaps

"But I-!"I begin

"No but's! Get over here now! Or I will hunt you down and drag you back!"He snaps

"Nightmare, your brother-"I say

Click.

He hangs up. My surroundings fade and reappear to show I'm at the house in the living room. 

No!

Yes!

Nightmare comes stomping over.

"What about my brother?"He asks coldly

"I was just with him. I got him back for the moment and he was resting but the moment he wakes up, we may lose him again. I made him a promise...And now he'll think I broke it."I say

"What?! Shoot! We gotta go find him!"Nightmare says, heading to the door

"I would not go anywhere. I just got a call from some number and it turned out to be Fresh. He says that he found Dream and doesn't like someone bringing him back, undoing the plan and weaving out of trouble. The moment he finds Cross, he's dead. As well as Dream's brother."Ink!Pap says

"Dang it!"Nightmare says

I bow my head.

You are something else, you idiot!

Shut up.

I think and think. Then, I realize something. I think on it more. Yes, an idea is growing in my mind.

Thank you, Dream.

You are thanking a killer. One who CANNOT HEAR YOU!

But he helped start the idea for a plan. 

Say what now?

"Nightmare."I say

He looks at me after pounding his fists into the wall.

"What?"He asks

"I think I know what to do. We need everyone here, though."I say

"On it!"He says, then darts into the kitchen

"He does know the kitchen is empty, right? Everyone but him went to sleep in one room upstairs."Ink!Pap says

Nightmare comes out, holding some pots and pans.

"They've kept me up the past few nights! I've seen their nightmares! Time for revenge!"He says, then runs upstairs

Ink!Pap and I look at each other, then shrug. 

Shortly afterward, we hear the clashing of pots and pans as well as Nightmare yelling.

"I AIN'T GET NO SLEEP BECAUSE OF Y'ALL! Y'ALL GET NO SLEEP 'CAUSE OF ME!"He yells repeatedly

This was followed by yells of annoyance, groans of sleepiness, and even some strong language or sounds of violence.

"MEETING DOWNSTAIRS! NOW!"Nightmare says, then continues the chant