A Splash of ink

Chapter 99- Learning how to human! (Human DreamSwap)

Apollo is nailing this 'human' thing and is confident in his future plans to make this multiverse work for him.

The Meme Squad meanwhile, are gaining new trauma at an alarming rate

——-

Human DreamSwap

"Oh wow, I look amazing! Nowhere near as good as when little Star did it but pretty good for my first time. What do you lot think? I could easily pass for Emperor Dream, couldn't i?~"

Apollo giggled like an excited school girl as he admired his softer form in a mirror he had dragged down to the dungeons, as he had gotten annoyed when the three humans weren't accurate enough to explain what he was doing wrong. He cupped his face in amusement, the blemish free skin and his golden hair adding a certain softness he didn't truly have as a skeleton monster.

When Star had shifted them all to human form he still had a visible sharp edge to his looks, like it was a true reflection of his SOUL. He was disappointed he hadn't taken a picture of himself at the time, hopeful that Star would be willing to shift him to a human at another point, if only for the picture.

But in this human form he looked like he couldn't hurt a fly. Mimicking more what the local Nightmare looked as he wasn't aiming for fear but to be more approachable to the public.

"What kind of creepiness was at your temple?!"

"Why are you blaming this on me?!"

"All the creepy stuff comes from your origin. Magic only became well known after you and Dream. All the weirdness of the multiverse only happened after you two popped up from your weird little cult"

"For the last time it wasn't a cult! It was a temple to look after the tree of emotions! We simply became the vessels when our parents were idiots!"

"...Nightmare, i hate to break it to you but everytime you share bits about your 'childhood' i am only more horrified and bewildered at how you came out so sane"

"Not you too, Cross!"

Apollo snickered to himself at the comedy show going on in front of him, taking one last glance at his appearance and thinking the disguise would work. He smiled at how sharp his gold eyes looked and the naturally sharp golden nails he struggled to make more human, although admittedly not trying that hard to change it.

Seeing peaks of his true self was nice, although he did have to lower the glow of his wings until it matched what he remarked the other Dream looked like.

He should probably check on them as humans did need to eat regularly.

How long could they last without food and water again? A few years?

That sounded about right. Surely he didn't need to worry about them anytime soon and with the time dilation of this multiverse he could easily set things up for the most perfect monsters in the omniverse- no, reality itself!

He had completed step one of somewhat taking over the leader's position, needing to test his disguise with a lower guard he could dispatch if it didn't work. But going by the way Nightmare shivered when he softly smiled, spending nearly an hour examining his face and Nightmares, to see what expressions would work, he would say he had done pretty well.

Now, he had a choice to make. Look at all the papers organised in the local Dream's office and get an idea of the power structure...or he could talk more with the so-called 'Meme Squad', dig more information out of them or perhaps he could make this even more entertaining.

"You three can read and write, right?"

His words came out in a near purr, his smile gaining a sharp edge when the three froze like mice encountering a cat. What adorable counterparts, wondering why he hadn't visited another multiverse like this sooner.

He knew every well why, wanting to make his multiverse perfect for his idols and scared he would miss them if he left his home for too long.

His question was rhetorical of course, not caring if the answer was a positive one or not. He would have his little fun while also making sure that this multiverse would be made to the exacting standards of the most perfect family to ever exist!

Nothing would stop him!

——-

"Nightmare, are you sure your little cult didn't have any monsters in its vault? Nothing you were sworn to keep under wraps, on fear of death?"

Cross furiously whispered as softly as he could, unable to keep his gaze off the new 'Dream' who was randomly picking up trophies and throwing them in a sack labelled 'snacks' of all things. He was pretty sure he blacked out when he was dragged from the cells and placed in guard uniforms before locked into Dreams office with this monster with them.

"...I'm starting to wonder about that myself.."

Nightmare didn't immediately deny it this time like he would in the past, starting to doubt his past memories as this doppelganger acted so familiar with him. Like they knew each other even if he couldn't recall the skeleton figure he had first encountered at all.

Did he perhaps suppress some memories like his friends had kept trying to convince him? He had always thought that Dream was kinder when they were younger but what if that was simply his mind trying to defend itself from more pain.

"This is going to be hell"

Error deadpanned, starting to think execution would be a kinder option then dealing with this situation. The only one looking at the papers their new 'Boss' demanded they do, rather creepy to realise how much Dream had been following them in the past with nearly every detail about their past on paper.

He even felt a small twinge of pity when they stumbled upon Dream in the cupboard, tied up in an undignified manner and looking more dishevelled than they would ever dare do to be out in public. That sympathy quickly washed away at the dark look in the bound and gagged man's eyes, the familiar hatred which was soon hidden when their creepy new Boss slammed the door shut and said 'not to worry about it'.

....did this creature even know how humans acted or their basic needs?

He was leaning towards no but also felt zero need to gain their sole attention by pointing this out. Going back to looking at the many papers that their Boss wanted a rough summary off. He'd escaped death but had a feeling this creature wouldn't be as kind to give a simple death. Not planning to test them as he would like to live.

~~~~~~~~

Apollo: *Giggling at himself in the mirror and endlessly amused by the process* I will be the prettiest person at the ball~

Meme Squad: *Shaking in slight terror at the 'creature' they had the displeasure to deal with for hours*

-

Nightmare: *Defensive* My childhood wasn't a cult!

Also Nightmare: *Casually trauma dumping whenever he reminisces of his childhood* I had to memorise so many books or I wouldn't get to play. The priests broke my toys when i misbehaved. It was a calmer time...

Error and Cross: *Deeply worried* You need so much therapy*

-

Apollo: *A chance to take the logical option*❌😑

Apollo : *A chance to take the craziest mind bending option possible* ✅🤩

-

Nightmare: *Stubborn* My childhood was perfect!

Apollo: *Appears*

Nightmare: *Suddenly rethinking everything* Okay, maybe it wasn't that great

Cross and Error: *Proud but also exasperated* It took you this long?!