The Origins: Sandman

Oblivion had their eyes cast down to the ground, they couldn't look up, at least not yet. These few people that Oblivion had found just saw them end lives. It was one thing to accept Oblivion, and another to be okay seeing someone die. A cool hand took Oblivion's in theirs, intertwining their fingers.

"Hey." Jack whispered, his voice warm, a strange contrast to the temperature of his skin. Looking up slowly, Jack's blue eyes met theirs, no trace of disgust there. "Don't worry."

"I am not mad, Oblivion." North spoke, and this was the softest tone Oblivion had ever heard from the spirit. He looked over Oblivion with an emotion couldn't decipher, but he didn't look mad. "I am touched at your care. Everyone dies, is nature."

Looking up at the rest of The Guardians, Oblivion didn't see any hatred or disgust, so they shakily nodded, but couldn't bring themselves to smile. Instead, they just leaned closer to Jack, taking in the soft scent of freshly fallen snow. Jack leaned in closer, accepting the touch, brushing a strand of Oblivion's hair away from their eyes.

"Your power is beautiful, Oblivion." Tooth spoke gently, flittering closer to the couple, her eyes on Oblivion's. "I know you're scared, and I can't imagine how afraid you are, but we won't turn you away."

Sandy nodded, symbols of happiness, friendship, and home filled the space above his head. 'We wouldn't abandon you.'

Brushing an unshed tear away, Oblivion looked down at the ground, swallowing down some sorrow. They didn't believe them, but the five were still here... so they would take advantage of the contact and hoard it until they left.

They remained silent for a few moments, Tooth picking up the container that had been dropped to the ground, giving it to a couple of her fairies. The spirit of life and death watched carefully as a couple other fairies brought over another case, their chirping excited, talking to one another about finding the cases that were older than themselves.

"We don't have to look, if you don't want to mate." Bunny must have seen the look on Oblivion's face, afraid that they would run off. The thought had crossed their mind, but Jack was here, and Oblivion couldn't run off without Jack. Jack made it okay, made sure they weren't lonely.

"If you wish to see... then you should. They are your memories after all." Oblivion sighed, nodding towards the metal tubes. They weren't really sure how the memory tubes worked for Sandman, but here the memories were.

"If yer don't to..." Bunny trailed off, but didn't say anything else. Oblivion just shook their head and looked down at their hands.

"Okay, well, here is the next one." Tooth held out the memory tube, and they all placed their hand on the metal.

The birth of a star was something truly astounding to behold. It was a huge flash of light as the combine to become a huge, shining ball of fire and warmth. But more than that, because it was the birth of a being.

Sanderson Mansnoozie couldn't remember his beginning, but staring at the flashes of light felt so familiar. He stood here, next to his closest friends amongst the cosmos, other stars shining in every direction, nebulas spinning and churning. It was impressive, and it reminded him of his life before.

There, in front of the group, was what must have been Oblivion. They looked different, all these millennia ago. They floated in space, with gravity gone, their hair floated at odd angles, a different cape hugged their form, fire dancing in their hands. They looked more innocent, if that was possible, soft skin and softer eyes.

It was like watching a puppeteer as the spirit manipulated what would become The Sandman. The fire was a storm of yellows and oranges, some he had never seen before as the heat and power swirled around them.

Oblivion took a deep breath, their eyes shining for a moment before an orb formed in the middle of the fire. They orb exploded before suddenly taking a humanoid shape, fire turning to sand, curling around his form.

This must have been his birth, he had never seen the birth of any of his kind, they were nomadic and generally isolationists. But being here on Earth, Sanderson had learned to appreciate the comfort of other beings.

Suddenly, the orb took off, flying deep into space, making the Sandman the shooting star he knew himself to be, at least until he was grounded later. Oblivion floated there; wings spread brilliantly behind them as they gazed in the direction Sandy disappeared to, alone again.

Sandy wanted to reach out to comfort them, but before they could, the scene changed. Suddenly, they stood somewhere on earth, watching as shooting stars crossed the sky.

"Oh no." The memory of Oblivion whispered, eyes fixed on the sky, when suddenly the light grew brighter, and in less than a second, the light passed in front of them, headed straight to the ocean, skipping over the surface.

Sandy could remember that, forced to land, trying to aim for where there weren't children dreaming. He had succeeded, but didn't remember anything after that, until Manny spoke to him. Oblivion flew over where Sandy had landed, except there was now a small island of sand where he had landed.

Oblivion floated carefully over the island, approaching where Sandy knew his body was cooling, silver streams of sand coming from the other spirit. The dark-haired spirit landed softly, hugging their knees as they crouched over Sandy's body.

"The death of a star." Oblivion mumbled, raising a hand, the silver dust settling over Sandy like a blanket. "You did so well." Time flew by suddenly, days passing every second, the sun setting and rising, Oblivion constantly there, only disappearing for a tiny bit before returning to Sandy's side.

It was obvious that Oblivion didn't quite know what to do with Sandy, because he had died on earth, instead of in the cosmos where he could become another star. So, they sat there, quiet by Sandy's side as they seemed to mourn them, until time slowed once more, Manny hanging overhead.

"Death." Manny's voice echoed over the ocean, startling Oblivion. They looked up at the moon, surprised.

"Manny?" They asked softly. "Can this star be returned to you? They usually don't land on planets. They deserve another life, of some sort." There was so much silver sand winding around them, pure power emanating from where Oblivion sat over Sandy.

"I know this star." Manny began, voice monotone. "I think the children of earth could use a protector. To protect them, give them dreams." Manny continued, earning a strange look from Oblivion.

"They already have dreams. I give them dreams." Oblivion spoke, brushing their fingers over the silver sand, surprising Sandy. They used to control dreams?

"Yes, but you have many jobs. Wouldn't it be nice to have a break? Less responsibilities?" Manny asked, and Oblivion nodded slowly, looking over where Sandy laid.

"I suppose, if it gives her a purpose." Oblivion mumbled. "So, they are to come back to life?"

"Create another spirit, one like you and I, immortal. Powerful and kind." Manny urged, power crackling. Sandy knew he was the first spirit, besides Manny. But he hadn't given much thought to it, until now.

Oblivion crouched down, running one hand over Sandy's cheek, a yellow orb appearing in their hand, before it was pressed into his chest, evoking a huge tidal of sand, engulfing Sandy and Oblivion. If Sandy could speak, he would have shouted in surprise, instead, he was stuck, watching his own rebirth, sand swirling around them, before becoming a sort of cloud, with Sandy standing atop it.

"Hi! My name is Death. Your name is Sandman. And, you are the Guardian of dreams." Oblivion smiled, waving to Sandy. His heart broke, knowing that he didn't answer. Instead, Sandy turned to look at Manny, seemingly ignoring Oblivion.

"Your name is Sanderson Mansnoozie, the Sandman. You are the protector of Dreams." Manny spoke, and Oblivion visibly winced before disappearing.