Chapter nineteen:

Nightmare spots the enemy group appearing a little earlier than planned. He moves along a roof trying to see if he can separate them. His glaring is especially looking at Cross and Dream.

Dream leads his group to try to get to any of the survivors of Gemtale. "Stay together." He whispers to the group. "They could be anywhere."

Nightmare hops down moving through darkness following after the group. He is very sure that the others will do what they were told. He will strike to take down Cross especially when the group has been separated.

Killer spots the group coming to his location. He hits a nearby wall with his fist getting their attention.

The group spreads out a little with a few checking some of the houses.

Black charges at Killer and with Reds help they chase Killer into the open.

The others try to block Killers ways of getting out.

Killer looks around himself glaring though knowing that this is bad. He is severely outnumbered and summons his knife ready to defend himself.

Dream can't help but stare at the crown placed upon Killers head. His mind possibly putting things about Killers kid into place.

Nightmare snarls loudly in rage at what they're doing to his mate. He charges out of the darkness grabbing Red and Black in a tentacle each. He tosses them away and goes by Killer. "I won't let you kill my mate!" He snarls at all of them as he and Killer stand together ready to fight.

Hearing the commotion especially Nightmares rage Blood and Error race to the location. They tackle Classic and Cross truly starting the fight between the groups.

In the meantime...

"Eclipse. We have come to get you and Clarity. We're going to stop this war." Blue tells Eclipse who listens to what they have to say.

"I'm in." Eclipse agrees with a nod and a determined look on his face.

"Great. Let's get Clarity." Blue is the one that opens the portal this time, leading them to the place he calls home.

Before either Dust or Blue could move or say anything Eclipse calls out.

"Clarity! Come on out!"

Clarity opens her door and hurries out skidding to a stop at seeing the three. "What's going on?"

"We are going to stop this war." Eclipse explains standing by Clarity. "Clarity we need your help if we are going to get through to our parents."

"I'm in." Clarity assures Eclipse who grins at hearing this. "We have to hurry. It sounded like things were serious."

Dust opens a portal to Gemtale in which the four hurry through.

As soon as they are in Gemtale they can hear the loud battle ahead. So they hurry off in that direction. They spot the fighting and rush towards it hoping that they'll be able to stop it.

Nightmare leaps at Dream who dodges to the left. He tries to grab him with his tentacles though he moves out of the way.

Cross gets away from Blood and tries to go for Nightmare to save his mate. He skids to a stop as Killer leaps in front of him.

Blood goes after Classic to keep him away from Killer.

Killer raises the knife ready to slam it into Cross.

Suddenly a synchronized shout causes everyone to turn.

"STOP!"

Dust and Blue are the first ones at the scene and rush into the middle to stand by Dream.

Eclipse and Clarity following them just a little after.

"This doesn't have to go on!" Blue tells everyone as they listen in surprise from the suddenness. "We can make peace! We don't have to fight! It's not just Cross. Eclipse and Clarity as well."

"Even I support this. This is enough. Yes we don't see the world the same as each other. Yes one is on the darker side and one is on the lighter side. In the eyes of law. That doesn't mean we can't figure out peace."

"Dust. Why are you doing this?" Blood questions his love unsure of what to think.

"Because then our child can live in a better life. A better world!" Dust tells Blood knowing that he has to be honest here.

"Child!?" Blood moves closer to Dust. "Babe. You didn't tell me you were pregnant."

"I only learned today." Dust explains to Blood as their eyes meet. "Think about it. Think about what we've seen. What we've went through. What we've had to sacrifice about ourselves. I don't want our child to be forced to go through that."

"This is a waste of time." Nightmare huffs his visible eye narrowing at all of this.

Blood turns and looks to Nightmare. "This has to stop." His words make Dust smile and hug his mate.

Nightmare growls at the sight though before he can say anything Error moves.

Error's eyes drift to Ink for a moment. He thinks about how he does want to make a family with him one day. He makes his choice right there and then. He moves from behind Nightmare to stand with them. "They're right. Enough. It is time to find some way to make peace. We can accept each other. No more fighting each other." He tells Nightmare. He lovingly looks to Ink who comes to stay close to him.

Ink returning the lovingly look.

Almost everyone moves to join Dust and Blues side to show their support for this stance. They move from where they were during the fighting to joining the group.

The only ones left on the opposing side are Killer and Nightmare.

Eclipse moves forward to talk to his parents. He hopes with all of his soul that he can manage to reach his parents. He cares for them so deeply that he doesn't want to have to fight against them. He just knows he can't control them and it really is their choice. He can only try to convince them to join the side of peace. "Mom. Dad. You don't have to continue fighting this war. I want to continue to have you in my life. Please. I know it'll be a big change. I still care about you both. You're still my parents. There's a way to make things peaceful! We just want peace. But in order for that to happen we need you to agree to it."

Clarity moves to join her best friend and cousin. She stands at his side with a welcoming look on her face. She hopes that it'll assist on them changing sides. "I even offer my friendship to you. I want to get to know you. All you need to do is agree to peace." Her words ring true as she wants to get to know her uncle and his mate. She has only known her family as those that raised her. She really does hope that they'll switch their stances on the idea of peace.

"Please brother." Dream joins the two teens. His soul aching to have his brother back in his life. "Let this war end. I want to have you in my daughters life. And it's so exciting to know that you have a mate and a son as well. I've always known that you'd find the right one for you. And you did. Let us be the family we were meant to be. I do think you did great in finding your mate. You're both a part of my family. Please come with us." He watches the two with pleading eyes. He even offers a smile to them. He looks to Cross as he joins him. He lays the side of his skull on his mates shoulder. His eyes open to watch his brother and his brothers mate. He can feel Cross wrap his arm around his torso like a comforting, and loving, hug.

"I know that as much as both of you allow your darker sides to show, you both have a softer side. You don't have to hide it outside of where you live. I've been with them since I left after learning Dream was pregnant. It really is a good change to accept." Cross tells them trying to get them to realize that it is okay. He keeps his mate close, trying to show the two that they really can express their love whenever they want. He feels like seeing the affection really will help the two to decide to switch. "We'll figure something out that works for both sides. Give it a chance."

"You all seriously think that peace is going to be possible!?" Nightmare demands looking around at all of them. His glare harsh at them. He stays by Killer just in case they try something. He doesn't really trust this right now. "They're trying to force you to surrender to be just like them. That's all this is!"

"No it's not!" Dream pleads raising his head and tears appearing at the edges of his sockets. He hardly notices how the appearance of his tears surprise Nightmare. "Please Nightmare! You have no idea how long I've wanted this day to come! When I could have my brother back." He takes a breath to compose himself a little. He notices his brother looking at the group, though not focusing on anyone in particular. "I understand that it won't be the same as before all of this happened. We can adapt to how things are."

Killer turns his head slightly to glance to Nightmare. He sees that the other is having some very intense emotions. He can see the anger cross his eye, the hesitance in him clenching his teeth, and the contemplation in the way his tentacles shimmer. He has come to read Nightmare rather well and uses it when he feels it truly is needed. He feels like this time is one of those times. He reaches over taking Nightmares hand into his own.

As if on an instinctive reaction Nightmare wraps Killer in a tentacle gently; to make sure that he will be protected.

Killer smiles at Nightmare hoping that it'll help him. He can feel the soft blush of magic decorating his cheeks. He knows the gesture is of protection and affection. He is being held by Nightmare, by his mate. He knows that no matter what happens Nightmare would never harm him. He has full trust in every part of his beloved.

Nightmare looks to Killer a little thoughtfully. He comes to the realization that, while yes he does want to leave with Killer to continue their side of the war, he'd be too greatly outnumbered. He doesn't want to lose Killer. He feels like losing Killer would be losing everything to him. He knows if Killer does die, he wouldn't have a son to turn to as a reason to keep going if he refuses. He closes his eye with a heavy sigh. He has to do it. If not for himself then for his beloved mate. He needs to be able to keep him safe.

And fighting a war against so many skeletons doesn't identify as keeping him safe. It would be a death sentence for them both.

"Fine." Nightmare agrees reluctantly. And his eye snaps open as Dream suddenly runs over only to hug him. He looks at his brother who smiles at him with tears in his eyes. "I didn't do it because of all of you." He states giving his best grumpy look. "I did it for my mate and son."

"No matter the reason you agreed. I'm just glad that we can work some kind of peace out." Dream tells Nightmare trying to hide a sob. His soul shines brightly and a glow surrounds everyone with an intense aura of good feelings. "I can have my family together."

Cross goes over and places a hand on Dreams shoulder. His action helps ground Dream enough for the glow to go away. "We're all glad to have you agree to peace that we'll sort out together. Your opinions and thoughts will be valid as we discuss the peace." He assures Nightmare as he is unable to really do much about Dream clinging to Nightmare.

Though they weren't fully sure what was ahead, what they did know was that things were going to change for the better.

The end.

AN:

This was entirely written on my phone so hopefully I caught any auto-corrects.

I still hope that you enjoyed!

Kitkat.