Collection of Oddities

Double or Nothing (1.1)

Summary: Scenes that didn't make the cut for "Prepare For Trouble; Make It Double." Could also be considered bonus chapters.

In Stardin Forest's outer reaches, the sheer stillness permeating the land felt deafening, and the shadows all too consuming- Not even the gentle rustle of the trees could break it, nor the dying light of stars long since passed. All breaths seemingly halted as two figures froze, safely hidden amongst the shades. Their wide eye sockets pointed toward the sole monster standing on the isle's edge, who went about his business (stargazing and periodically tapping on an invisible screen) without realizing his most sacred secret was now known by one too many. Jaws agape, the pair silently watched as Geno (Error) began to move and open a portal to a pitch-black space before disappearing inside.

Neither twitched a single muscle when the last inch of his signature red scarf vanished, and the portal slid closed; Chasing after the skeleton was but an afterthought. Shock remained prevalent in their souls, preventing them from doing much else aside from gape at the once occupied spot. Regardless of any time passed. However, when it finally cleared enough for them to break out of their stupor, each came upon a grim realization: Hidden beneath the thick, shadowy canopy was another soul. And in that instant...

The two rivals locked eyes in the darkness.

Twilight encompassed the sky- a plethora of hues (purple, orange, yellow, red, and pink) coloring the wispy clouds along the horizon as tiny stars began to twinkle in the openings. An orange-ish/yellow blur peaked over the edge, slowly descending. Meanwhile, its pearly counterpart strengthened its light, preparing to take watch over the sky and illuminate the dark. Its brilliant glow fought and fought only to be drowned out by the growing darkness spread from mountainous terrain while fading sunlight blazed behind. Streetlights flicked on to brighten the sidewalk and cast shades of their own across the concrete below as shadows fell upon the nearby city, a quaint little place that bordered the coast and crept up into the mountains. Few people roamed the street. A majority of which were monsters. Various nocturnal types that bore a strong resemblance to raccoons, opossums, owls, bats (and, oddly enough, puddles of water), not to be confused with the more common kinds seen wandering around during the day. These monsters, along with the occasional human, traversed the city and used the many benches to their advantage. Some either waiting for the bus or taking solace in the night before starting their journey home, or resting their feet after a hard day's work.

A creature scoffed, sneering at the content beings and their naive joy. His shadowy, black form hid seamlessly amongst the shades cast on the rooftops. The eight tendrils sprouting from his back coiled close behind, stiff and unmoving; On occasions, one would give a light twitch as if wanting to lash out at something. Anything. Alas, the roof was barren. No nocturnal animals to frighten. No stray litter to crush. No roof decorations to unleash his fury on to. He forced the urge down and peered over the edge to the quiet streets, eye glued on a particular figure meandering through the city's shopping center.

Of course, this creeper was no ordinary onlooker. If not evident by his stalker-esque ways.

Some called him a god, and others spat his name in the way one might curse a demon, yet both factions agreed on one thing: He brought terror to all. Despite the bravery few fools pretended to have. His skeletal, corruption-laden appearance was something that no one desired to see, especially in their dreams. He gained quite a reputation for himself throughout the ages- The dreaded King of Darkness, Positivity's Bane, Ruler of Oblivion's deepest stretches, and, his favorite title, the Father of All Terror. Only an ill-informed, rock-dwelling fool would fail to know his name, which many recognized as the mighty and fear-inducing moniker: Nightmare.

The sludge-coated guardian slunk through the shadows, using his cyan eyelight to track the subject of his interest. Beneath his gaze, a red-scarfed skeleton adorned by a white lab coat, black shorts, and fluffy pink slippers strode across the concrete with an unhurried gait. Soon a worn set of red-rimmed glasses joined the ensemble, likely due to the other's inability to see clearly. Nightmare's eye sockets narrowed at the sight of the familiar article. On various occasions, Error had brought out the old accessory when he needed a better look at his knitting project or wanted to shame the boys from creating (crafting, cooking, or otherwise) something horrendous. Thoroughly. With those spectacles perched on his nasal cavity, nothing escaped his eyes.

Cautiously, Nightmare allowed his target to put some space between them before continuing his pursuit. The last thing he needed was to get spotted by Genocide. Or, who he had believed to be the plucky Aftertale Sans. Given Error's sudden transformation into the other, it was hard to believe this bloody, only mildly threatening monster was the friend he cherished dearly. Hence, why the oblivious skeleton obtained a narrow-eyed follower.

The Guardian of Negativity needed to see it for himself. All the lies Error - Geno, whoever he was - fed him, so he could bury the love he felt once and for all.

A low hiss escaped Nightmare's jaws; Lightly frowning, a goo-coated hand came up to rub the center of his chest above the corrupted heart trapped within. Regret was an agonizing little thing. An emotion that seared the depths of his soul and tormented his mind. Out of every choice he had made, he regretted going to that damned AU most of all because every time he thought about it, his heart ached all over again. For a good reason too. Nightmare originally went to the starry universe to see his friend, whom he had been admiring for the past millennia. (Though, if one trustworthy enough asked his followers, they would say he was pining worse than an evergreen.) A small, blue-wrapped box with a black bow/ribbon had sat in his inventory - there it still resided - and contained within was a special gift he planned on using to take their relationship to the next level.

Now, the guardian did not know if he could take that step. Ever. For many reasons, like: How? How had Error managed to keep this secret for so long? Nightmare thought he gained the other's trust and proved himself worthy enough to stand side-by-side with the Destroyer of Worlds. Yet, it would seem that wasn't the case. Error still kept some secrets- which the Guardian of Negativity could not fault him for doing. Everyone was allowed to have specific aspects of their life private from others. Assuming those secrets were non-harmful to anything or anyone. Another reason: Reaper. The deadly skeleton had hidden amongst the same shadowy trees Nightmare used to conceal his form- The trees shrouding his and Error's special stargazing spot; considering the god's presence there, it wasn't as special as he was led to believe.