Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters involved in this story. They are all the property of their respecitve...er...owners. And stuff. All song lyrics belong to the all mighty Dio. I'm broke.

Prologue

-"Do you like the dark? Do you like the way it moves?"-

Freddy Krueger was not afraid. Fear would be far too strong a word to describe what he was feeling at the moment. However he did find himself, for the first time since his death, edging towards apprehension. He stalked warily through the darkness and swirling mist that surrounded him. This was not the dreamscape. Somehow he had been pulled out of his realm and dropped into this one. He hadn't felt it happen. He'd had no chance to fight it. He was simply here.

Something was glowing blood red in the darkness ahead of him. Krueger stopped, tapping his claws against his shoulder. A scowl settled over his features as he waited for whoever or whatever it was to come to him. The form started to come clear in the darkness as it neared, shadows washed over it like water.

It could have been a man, once. Its flesh appeared to have been stripped away exposing raw red tissue, muscles and tendons. Its entire face was covered by a silver metal mask and red glowing visor. From where the nose should be to the chin and stretched up his cheeks the mask had been crafted into some twisted semblance of a sinister smile. The visor covered the rest of his face and the metal curved around his head, encasing the thing's exposed brain. At the center front of the head piece a long piece of metal extended upwards ending in a 'Z', giving the impression that it was a crown of sorts.

The same silver metal sparingly decorated its body. Following the curve of the collar bone then plunged down the center of its body to just above the stomach. Three pieces on either side of the center line extended over its chest. Another piece encased the lower half only enough to satisfy modesty. Arms and legs were sparsely adorned, most notably over its fingertips where the metal formed sharp claws.

Thin tubes pumping a clear liquid snaked around the body. From back to chest and from arm to hip. The tubes wound their way under the silver armor before entering the red skin. A large 'Z' tipped staff was gripped in one clawed hand.

"Who are you?" Freddy growled.

"I am Lord Zedd." The voice was full of dark menace and authority.

"And this..." Freddy gestured towards the scenery.

"My dark dimension. I have summoned you here because I have a use for you."

"Summoned?" Freddy took a step forward, flexing his claws threateningly. His eyes burned with fury. "Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?"

Power rippled through the air washing over him like a wave. Freddy hesitated. The apprehension he experienced earlier nagged at him again. Lord Zedd chuckled darkly.

"You may be able to intimidate humans with your posturing and your blades, but I am a different matter. Now listen well, dream demon. I have a job for you. If you succeed, I will grant you what you desire."

"Oh yeah?" Freddy challenged. "And what's that?"

"I will destroy the barriers keeping you imprisoned in the town of Springwood. You will be free to invade the dreams of anyone on this planet.

Freddy smiled showing rotted teeth.

"And...what would I have to do?"