Summary: How Nightmare's boys met Dream.
The Underground was in a state of mayhem: monsters screaming, buildings burning and crumbling from the sheer force of the attacks they were dealt, dust blowing through the air, and...
Negativity on the rise.
Nightmare's teeth curled into a cruel grin as he watched his newly formed team work.
Dust and Killer manically giggled as they struck down the monsters attempting to escape- using a bone attack and a knife, respectively. Meanwhile, Horror, with the aid of his trusty axe, chopped down anyone (guards or otherwise) willing to stay and put up a fight.
They were nowhere near coordinated enough to be considered a well-oiled machine, but the trio would certainly get the job done. And right now, that was all the Guardian of Negativity needed from them: a little well-placed chaos to brew a storm of dark emotions.
Alas, all good things must be ruined.
By a particularly obnoxious, ignorant ball of joyful sunshine, to be specific.
The viscous dark tendrils on his back coiled in distaste, and his expression morphed into a scowl as a powerful positive force swiftly neared.
"Nightmare!" A high-pitched, ear-grating voice bellowed from behind.
Dream.
"Of course, it's him. Here to ruin the fun as usual." Nightmare snarled under his breath, calmly turning in the other's direction.
The Guardian of Positivity stood amongst the dusty white buildings and streets of New Home with his head held high, back straight, and not a single weapon drawn- confident (if not foolish). Despite barely being tall enough to reach Nightmare's chest.
By the time he could so much as shoot the yellow-clad skeleton a scathing glower, all the area's residents had either perished or unfortunately managed to slip away. (By no fault of Dust or Killer. Or so they would later claim.) Thus, allowing the dark lord's ragtag team the freedom to swiftly return to his side once they noticed an "interesting" challenger approached.
Killer was the first to slip right beside him; protective, wary. Good qualities to have in a potential guard, Nightmare noted.
The target-souled Sans then raised a brow, gesturing at their "guest" with his grey powder-coated knife. "Who's the short stack?"
Curiosity radiated off his fellow murderers when they slowly joined him, clearly having similar unspoken questions. So Nightmare, like the great and benevolent leader he was, decided to quell their intrigue with an answer.
"Unfortunately, that 'short stack' happens to be my so-called brother." He sighed, ignoring how Dream preened once the final word left his jaws.
"Pfft- Look at him! He's so tiny!" Dust cackled.
Horror silently examined the vertically-challenged guardian before shaking his skull, frowning. "Too small to eat..."
"Hey!" Dream cried indignantly, cheeks puffing out while he pouted childishly at the trio. "I am not that short!"
"Ya kinda are, kiddo. Now, where are your parents so we can get you home before an... accident happens?" Killer jeered.
Instead of responding to the comment, the Guardian of Positivity huffed and reached into his inventory. He magically produced a folded step ladder after a moment of riffling.
Nightmare frowned. "What are you doing?"
"Shh!" Dream urged, taking the object in his hands and fiddling with the legs, struggling to get it to unfold. "Just... Just wait a moment!"
After a nigh painful two minutes, the metallic ladder conceded. Its pieces shifted and parted, allowing it to take on its true form.
His brother cheered and promptly propped it on the stone floor. Next scrambling up the three steps and resuming his previous pose, adding the extra flare of jabbing a phalange in Nightmare's direction.
Perhaps like one of those dramatic knights from the stories the negativity-laden skeleton used to read to him.
"Prepare to give up your evil ways, brother. Because I am here to save you... from yourself- And be tall while doing it!" Dream declared, puffing out his chest. Consequently, succeeding in appearing more like a kitten that can't quite fluff up yet.
Killer, Dust, and Horror instantly broke into a fit of snickers.
All the while, Nightmare groaned and buried his face in his hands.
"This is so embarrassing..." He grumbled while his tendrils curled around his body as if trying to hide him. "Can't you be normal in front of my new henchmen? This is ridiculous!"