Loyal Servant (Crossmare) (Rewrite)

End of Arc One, A Castle Renewed

Cross was still just standing there, gaze locked with Nightmare's when in the blank of an eye, a figure shot between them. They both reared back, though neither of them were the target. He heard a snap, similar in pitch to that of cutting hair. Error's strings!

Once Cross had bounced back to avoid any possible attack, he looked to the new arrival. He grimaced at the sight of none other than Ink. He hurried to sweep up Dream as she fell limp. With the loose strings now unwinding from her soul, Cross no longer had access to her magic. He drew his weapon as Ink turned to face them. Though with Dream laying unconscious in his arms, he didn't look ready to fight either of them.

"You should have kept your distance, Ink," Nightmare growled at the other god. He smiled mischievously, letting his tendrils lift him into the air once again. "But since your here, I suppose I'll torture you in the same excruciating way I will Dream," He threatened, pointing the sharp tips of his shiny appendages his way.

Ink didn't look too concerned, giving Nightmare a displeased stare. "You may have your throne back, Nightmare, yet in the end I'm the one who's won this trade off," He told him. Nightmare bared his teeth further. "Dream is alive, and she's going to remain that way. You'll find that from now on, whenever you try to corrupt an AU, she'll always be there like a light in the dark. Your rewards will never come so easily again. That's a promise," Ink warned.

Nightmare's response to this was to jab his tendrils down upon Ink. The sharp points only shattered the marble floor as Ink wisely shifted Dream into one arm then portaled away with a single swipe of his brush. When he vanished, Nightmare remained still for a couple seconds. "I can no longer sense him within the realm. He's gone, and we've won," He said, though he continued to hold himself high. Cross let out a low hum. Have we won? Even though Dream is alive?

"Where's Killer?" Nightmare then spontaneously asked.

Cross blinked at him. "I'm sorry?"

"Killer. Where is he?" He asked again, eye narrowing. The most Cross could answer with was a vague shrug. "I promised him something," He growled, which had Cross recalling the more passive Nightmare's attempt at a threat.

Unaware of Nightmare's intention, Killer came running into the room with Dust and Horror in tow. He skidded to a sudden stop, both the following skeletons blindly ramming themselves right into his spine. He ignored them, looking to Nightmare. "Night! Criss-Cross!" He greeted the both of them with his ever playful nicknames. "Is it over? Is Ink gone?" He asked more seriously.

"Ah... Killer," Nightmare snarled, slowly turning to face the skeleton he currently towered over. At first Killer seemed oblivious to the danger, but eventually something in that vacant mind of his clicked. "KILLER!" Nightmare shouted once more.

Both Horror and Dust took a step away from Killer. The skeleton stared up at the Nightmare's wide and menacing eye nervously. "Oh god-"

"YOU BET IT'S GOD!!!" Nightmare yowled, whipping a tendril out towards the smaller skeleton. Within a heartbeat Nightmare's had the end of his tendril wrapped around Killer's ankle. He yelped as Nightmare yanked him up off the ground and held him before his needle sharp fangs. "Never refer to me as cute ever again! Or you will never mentally or physically recover from what I'll do to that pathetic mortal body of yours!" He warned before tossing him back towards Dust and Horror. Obviously the sightless pair couldn't see Killer coming, so they were both knocked to the ground along with him.

Cross smiled. That had been a flawless threat. The Nightmare he had fallen for was certainly back. After snapping at Killer, Nightmare lowered himself back to the floor. He waved a tendril at Cross then gestured to the trio. Cross chuckled, walking over and helping the three of them to their feet. "Good job keeping Ink distracted," He told Killer, who had instantly gotten over Nightmare's tantrum.