Nightmare has had a stressful time. First losing Aster, getting cryptic messages from Error and now he is struggling to contact Dream and Blue. Surely things can't get any worse..right?

———

@?£ Multiverse

Nightmares Castle

Nightmare was as far from calm that a monster could physically be, which was rather ironic for a Guardian who usually prided himself on his self control. It all started after losing Aster, getting an ominous text from Error a mere half hour later saying 'I am was dealing with it' and then none of his texts going through to the Destroyer, he was feeling rightfully tense.

He had failed in a fairly simple task, it burning his pride of what little was left after dealing with Ink and it set him on edge. He still had no clue why he was even tasked with babysitting a seemingly random monster child and to make matters worse, he couldn't get in contact with Dream or even Blue for the last few weeks.

He had grown more unsettled when he had gone to help Balance a few AU's to be more neutral, with there being zero sign of Ink, the alarm bells had truly started to ring loudly in his mind.

The only time that had happened before was when he was sorting one AU and Error another and everyone knew that Ink pretty much preferred 'playing' with Error the most. The first time it had happened his pride was bruised but after witnessing the fight between the two, Inks' near feral determination to cause as much damage to Error yet holding back from dusting them for good, he decided his pride could take a hike. He had no urge to soothe his ego by being nearly beaten into the ground by the most unhinged monster in history, barely surviving as it was with now despite how much Ink clearly held back.

He didn't care if that made him a coward, he frankly enjoyed breathing too much to try and actively antagonise Ink. The few idiots who had ever done that were never heard from again nor were their AU's truly baffled how Ink ever earned the seemingly innocent title of 'Creator' with how destructive they could be.

He sighed deeply and buried his face in his hands, once again jealous for his counterparts that never had to deal with this crap. He would even swap with his SwapDream counterpart, more than happy to have his magic restricted if all he had to deal with was an unhinged counterpart. He would do that. A million times over compared to dealing with Ink, unsure why so few of his counterparts ever believed him of what Ink was like in his multiverse.

He truly cherished that week where Ink didnt try and bother anyone and let them meet up with their counterparts, something which Error had started long before anyone else existed solely to try and not go completely insane while with Ink. It was a much needed break and he was pretty sure Ink allowed it due to what happened the one year he didn't.

No one talked about the year with many tears and breakdowns, the multiverse coming very close to breaking that time, that year a blur in most peoples mind as he was pretty sure Ink was forced to RESET everything.

"You are sighing a lot, Boss. What's got your tentacles in a twist?"

He was almost tempted to throw his book into Killers face but he wouldn't want to deface a book like that, instead glaring at the idiots gathered on the couch in his office with all of them refusing to leave.

The oddly vague text from Sci hadn't helped his mood, having to put the phone down before he threw it across the room in frustration, wishing he had clear answers for once.

"You know what the issue is! How are you so dense, Killer?!"

"No need to be so mean, Criss Crossy. I was just trying to lighten the mood"

"Your version of 'lightening' the mood usually involves a knife!"

"...i'm not seeing the issue here. Knives are great! Want to meet my latest one? I called it 'Linda' for she is a really beauty~"

..Nightmare was seriously considering tricking one of his corrupted counterparts to swap with him, feeling it couldn't he too hard with how much of an ego many of them had. Just a few words saying 'I doubt you could ever do my job' and a scornful look and he was sure he would succeed. He had lost his pride years ago, the useless thing bringing him nothing but annoyance.

He was about to get up to finally shut up the idiots when he froze when a golden portal formed, looking at with growing dread. Dream rarely tended to visit and only did so in emergencies, his hackles raised when Dream stepped out with their 'im trying not to break down' smile, twitching when Blue and Ink followed behind them.

The silence was near deafening but of course Ink wouldn't allow that, the Creator giving a brief look around before scoffing dismissively as if unimpressed by his home. He didn't even have it in him to be annoyed, far too on edge with Ink being in his castle.

This was the first time it had ever happened in known memory and he was glad his idiots realised the severity when he saw them all stand up and look on guard. Everyone tensed when Ink opened his mouth but froze when a small arm sneakily tried to grab a paint vial on their sash.

"No more paint, Aster. You drank it all. You really need to learn to eat neater though. Maybe I should make you a sippy cup.."

Ink trailed off thoughtfully as he took out the goat child from where they had been hidden in his scarf, tutting at all the paint on their face, pretty sure he had cleaned them up before leaving Sci's lab.

"What are you doing here, Creator?!"

He got back on task when generic skeleton 6 spoke up the one he had played around with until he grew bored of their generic reactions and threw them into the AntiVoid for a bit, staring blanky at their black and white outfit until he remembered their 'official' name.

Why would anyone choose Cross as a name, not trying hard at all to listen to the words coming out of their mouth, idly curious if they would look more colourful as dust then right now.

These sort of thoughts he tried to suppress, mainly as otherwise the whole multiverse would end as his curiosity never ended, having a similar thought for many monsters when they grew too boring. Like cardboard cutouts really that served little purpose but to fill in the background for the main players or be sacrificed to the Game, so seeing them take a step towards him with intent, he felt he reacted accordingly.

He could hardly be to blamed if he used Broomy to smash Cross into the ground, like disciplining a misbehaving dog, tempted to push a little harder when he saw the stubborn look in their eyes.

"You know, I've been rather patient with you, Cross. The Guardians seem to like you but i'll tell you a fun little secret. I've been tempted to erase you more times than i could count~"

Cross anger and stupid bravery at seeing Ink in his safe place utterly shattered at the mockingly cooed out words, unsure how he had been so stupid to let his emotions take over him when dealing with the merciless monster who had spent years personally toying with him before throwing him to the side.

He usually had a better hold on his emotions but the last week of stress had made him careless, whimpering at the force of the brush on his chest, eyelights widening in alarm at the deeply contemplative look on Inks face.

"Let him go, Ink. You shouldn't dust monsters in front of a child. It's not good for them mentally and could cause damage in other ways"

"....really? I never knew. Thanks, Error!"

It was always alarming to see how quickly Ink could switch emotions, the murderous aura gone as quickly as it arrived, Cross frowning as the weight was taken off his chest and not objecting when Nightmare used a tentacle to lift him up and put him behind them.

Error was glad he had looked at the Code to get the priceless information now, pretty sure Ink would have dusted everyone with how annoyed they looked, not foolish enough to miss the cold calculating in the Creator's eyes as they looked at him.

He knew his Code edits on that AU must have been noticed, hoping to cool things down and went for the only creature likely to help distract Ink until he thought of a better plan.

"Mr Error? What are you doing here?"

"I came here to see you, little prince. I had so much fun last time and i even brought some more of that chocolate you like"

"You did? Yay! Do you have any paint? I like that too"

Error kept his expression neutral at that question, it only confirming things in his mind he had looked over last time in the Code and carefully brought out a chocolate bar. He took a bite to show it was harmless before giving it to Ink to look over, not wanting to lose an arm with Ink being in such a mood.

"Sadly not, little Prince. Maybe next time"

"I can't wait! I like yellow best. It makes me feel silly"

"Im sure it does. I'll see if i can grab some of that, little prince"

He said lightly, sure he could trade some from another multiverse, not about to go near Ink's stash of paint or go back on a promise, especially to a monster whose opinion could easily determine the fate of their multiverse.

He looked up when he heard Nightmare choke, confused by the odd looked around him and unsure what their issue was.

"..Prince?"

"Yes? That is his official title. Didnt you listen to anything i told you?"

He was further confused when he got blank looks and Dream began laughing in a very concerning way, Nightmare staring blanky at the wall and looking just done with life.

Did neither twin clue together his warnings? He thought he had been obvious, wondering if he had overestimated their intelligent too much...

~~~~~~~~

Nightmare: *Freshly learning about the other AU's* Why wont Ink ever take me seriously?!

Also Nightmare: *After watching Ink gleefully play roughly with Error like they are a beloved toy*..you know what, i think im fine being far away from them

-

Nightmare: *Meeting up with his counterparts and using it as a place to vent and relax*

Ink: *Doesnt want the 'Game' to end so soon and counts this as enrichment, holding a book on 'How to keep your pets happy' as a guide* I knew this would help them! I'm so good at this!

-

Error: *Treating Aster respectfully and making grand promises, knowing it is pretty much vital* Why is everyone looking at me weirdly? Surely they know why im doing this?

Aster: *Happy sequels at the chocolate* Thank you, Mr Error!

Ink: *Settled down from his murderous rage and feeding Aster chocolate*

Dream and Nightmare: *Recalling the cryptic statements Error made and still having no clue what they were on about* What is happening?!