Chapter Text
Niki sat alone at the ravine nearby.
L'Manberg wasn't L'Manberg anymore. It hadn't been since Wilbur had been exiled. It had lost its spirit, its members, and was slowly turning to rubble from the inside out.
And all of it was Tommy's fault.
If Tommy hadn't been so fucking reckless, if he had just forgotten about those stupid discs..
And worst of all, he had gotten her brother involved.
More often than not she wondered if it would hurt less if she just ran off the ravine itself. But then, of course, she'd have two more lives to spare.
She put her head into her hands. Why was everything so difficult now?!
Think positive thoughts, think positive thoughts, block all the bad ones out..
"Hey."
She yelped and grabbed her sword, turning to face the mask that she hated so much.
"Dream!" She yelled, getting up. "Get out! This is L'Manberg territory."
Dream waved his hands in a whatever gesture. "I'm allowed to walk around. Besides," his voice now had a snarky lilt to it, "doesn't look like it's going too good, so far."
Niki let her surprise show for a second, then steeled her nerves. "Shut up."
Dream just put his hands in the air in a i'm just curious gesture. "Alright, alright. I was just wondering, when did things start falling apart?"
Niki considered his question, weighed the pros and cons. She decided she needed to vent a little, anyways.
"Tommy. Fucking- His stupid discs!" She shouted. "He wanted to get his discs back and got my little brother involved, and, in doing so, the whole country as well! He just thought it would have no consequences!"
This seemed to pique Dream's interest.
"So you hate him?" He pondered, she nodded. "How much?"
Niki's voice lowered. Deadly sincere, she responded, "I want to kill him."
Dream's face showed no emotion, as it was covered by a smiley mask, but she thought he was startled.
She almost laughed. That was how everyone had pegged her as, huh? The weak baker who couldn't lift a sword if her life depended on it.
She wished she could prove them wrong.
"I want to kill him too." Dream said after a second.
"I know you do." She knew where he was going with this, but was not going to help him with it. And she wasn't sure she wanted to accept.
"I know you disagree with my methods," He said, walking towards her slowly. "But you seem like a good asset, and you have really good potential."
"Do I?" She asked, her voice slightly sly.
"I would love to have you on my team." He said, his voice cunning but sincere. "Niki Nihachu, I offer you the place of Protegé on my server."
She considered this, again weighing the pros and the cons. The pros outwon the cons by far, but there were still some things to be sorted.
"And no-one will know who I am?"
"If you don't want me to tell, my lips are sealed." He held out his hand.
"What do you say?"
Niki hesitated, thinking of a brunette with sheep ears, but the image turned to Tommy and her feelings turned bitter.
She clasped his hand.
"Is this really necessary?"
She was staring at a selection of hoodies, all in different sizes and colors. On the side were quivers of bows and a handful of arrows. On the side, a pile of masks lay side by side, each with different expressions. Dream looked up.
"Of course it is." He said, though his voice was kind, polite. "You don't want to be recognized, right?"
She shook her head. "I still want to be told apart from you."
He gestured to the clothing. "Be my guest."
She was startled by his politeness, for the Dream she had seen, and heard about from To-.. Tubbo, he seemed kind, polite, and friendly. There was almost a laziness with it. She wondered why people feared him that much when they could easily be his friend.
She started sorting through the hoodies, and found a slightly worn purple one, that fit her pretty well. She strapped a quiver and held a bow in her hands, then sheathed a netherite sword and strapped an iron axe by her side. They were surprisingly light. So light, in fact, she had wondered if they were plastic.
Now was the big thing; the mask.
She stalked towards them apprehensively.
She found a frown one, a red smiley one, a grey fearful one (no, not that one.. she never wanted to be scared again), and many, many.
Her hand settled on a white one – similar to Dream's, but this one was very angry. Almost raging. She smiled faintly at it, then put it on.
She was surprised to find she could see through it perfectly. Looking round, she saw Dream nodding, apparently satisfied at her pick.
"Nice choice." He said. "I like it."
She smiled again, though Dream couldn't see it.
Dream gestured over at her to come. His tall stature didn't seem as intimidating as before. "Come on. Let's get you training. Can't have my Protegé not knowing any good moves."
"Think fast!" Said Dream's voice irritatingly from above. She inwardly groaned, but rolled to the side and his behind a tree as arrows pelted from the sky. They had been at it for hours, Dream exclaiming that training was much more effective when done in stressful situations.
She pulled out her bow and promptly aimed – make sure it's quick and simple. You don't have time to look back – and fired. A satisfactory ding played out in the forest.
She waited, but there was no voice. She tentatively stepped out from the shade of the tree, looking around.
An intense, tingling sensation ran down her spine. She instinctively swivelled round and –
There was a clang of swords against each other, and suddenly it was her and Dream.
"Nice reflexes!" He noted. She remembered what he had said before – don't flatter yourself when an enemy compliments you. it's a distraction tactic – and ignored it. After a moment more, Dream said, "Clever girl. Remembering what I taught you."
"Now, you know I'll overpower you. So use my strength against me." He explained. "Grab the hilt of my sword and tilt upwards. Not downwards, like you did before. And do it quickly, otherwise they'll grab your sword and it'll be all over. Once you've got it, push it hard down into the ground, and kick me away. Got it?"
Niki didn't respond. He let out a chuckle, and while he did so, she did exactly what he said – grabbed the hilt of his sword and forced it down into the ground and kicked him away, far enough away so that he wasn't able to land a hit on her.
Dream clapped, cheering. "Second time's a charm! Woo! You did really, really good! Well done, by the way, ignoring my flattery and getting me while my defences were down."
She nodded at him. "Thanks, Dream."
She lifted her mask. "You know, you're much better than how I thought you'd be."
Dream snorted, "What, did you think I'd spout five heads and grow really giant and laser you into the sky, never to be seen again?"
She replied with a shrug. "Pretty much."
"Holy shit, what stories has Tommy come up with?" Though she couldn't see, she knew his grin had faltered. She looked away. "Oh, I'm sorry, Nik-"
"Call me Nightmare."
There was silence. A hesitant but friendly silence.
"Sure."
As weeks went by, Niki found it easier to talk to Dream. She even understood him, at least on some level. He was kind, sympathetic, and he understood her, too. He was patient with her, never rushing her and making sure she was okay.
She started baking for him when she noticed how little he ate. He'd seemed stunned at first, but lifted his mask up to reveal his mouth, and he was smiling.
She found out he liked cookies the best, but was fine with just about anything. He claimed that Nightmare's cookies were the best in the whole of the Dream SMP, and that he would fight whoever disagreed. She acted all flattered, battling her eyelashes, but on the inside she was pleased. She couldn't joke around like this one in L'Manberg, not after Tommy's Exile.
N iki started getting used to wearing her mask at all times. She started growing fond of it, calling the mask 'Fungi', after the pet Sapnap killed (Dream had apologized profulesy for Sapnap's actions, and she forgave him, but not Sapnap.) She called Dream's mask, 'Smiley', which Dream pretended to take offence to, but she saw him calling the mask Smiley.
Training got easier, too. Fighting became second nature, and she enjoyed the feeling she had when she held the axe – now upgraded to netherite – and fought. She felt powerful, something she'd never felt at all during L'Manberg's rise to power.
She started growing bitter of that place, especially after hearing Dream's rants about it. They just declared indepence on
his
land. To sell drugs, of all things!
She started fantasizing of destroying it – maybe not its residents. Tubbo had a good heart, she'd seen it in the kid. And Puffy-
God, Puffy .
Niki thought of that name whenever she went to sleep. Along with her dreams of destroying Manberg (it was easier to call it that.. Manberg was never her home), she had also imagined scenarios of Puffy and her, planning dates out in the Dream SMP. Dream got along fine with Puffy, so no rivalries there!
Eret was a fun guy to talk to. Besides, Nightmare was sure that Dream would give the king a second chance.
Ranboo! Dream had already said he'd taken a liking to Ranboo, liking his funny but sincere demeanour.
Fundy.. okay, she liked the Furry, but he still burnt down the flag. Maybe Nightmare would forgive her. Since Manberg wasn't hers anymore.
Of the others – Quackity and Ant and all them – Nightmare didn't have that much opinion on them. They could die, she supposed, but Niki didn't like that. Maybe they could become friends.
"
Want to visit L'Manberg with me?" Dream asked once. "We need to map out plans – a lot of them. It would help to know the area."
Niki couldn't believe it. No.. She couldn't just.. She..
" I know." Niki said, stressing the I, hoping it'd be enough.
Dream shrugged. "But Niki's been missing for 1 month and 2 weeks. You seriously don't think that they've changed the layout?"
Niki's throat was dry, but she r e plied. "Tubbo would."
Dream nodded. "Let's go, Nightmare."
They started going.
Just before they were in sight range, she blurted out something.
"Could you hold my hand?" She asked. Dream turned to look at her, and tilted his head. Her face burned under the mask. "I mean- that's to say- not like
that
, you know, it's just-"
She cut off when Dream grabbed her hand. He lifted his mask up slightly, smiling at her, and she relaxed.
"You ready?" He asked. "Be ready for any kind of surprise attack. Also, don't talk unless you absolutely have to. You don't want people to find out, right? "
She nodded, her throat dry.
Together, they both walked towards Manberg.
The first sight Niki got of the place was of Fundy's face as he blew a raspberry at Dream.
"That's mature." Dream scoffed. "What's up with you, Fundy?"
Fundy glared at him. "You know full well what's wrong, Dream! And who the fuck's this?"
Niki panicked internally, taking a step back and hiding behind Dream, like a child.
Dream put a hand over her head, in an almost protective way.
A brotherly way.
"This is my new Protegé. Their name is Nightmare." He said calmly, despite Fundy's childish attitude. Niki admired that from him.
Fundy ignored Dream, and pointed an accusing finger at her. "I don't trust you one bit! Joining the evil side! What's your deal, anyways?! We have a missing baker to find!"
Niki clutched Dream's hoodie tighter. She didn't like Fundy's tone, nor the fact that he was shoutung, nor the words he was saying.
Dream chuckled. "We aren't here to start any discourse. Have Eret and Quackity found her yet?"
"We know you have her, fatass!"
"We both know I don't. I've sent George and Sapnap out to look for her."
Fundy snorted. "I doubt Niki'll listen with Sapnap calling for her!"
Niki flinched. Dream glanced over at her, and sighed. "Fundy, could you please stop? You're scaring them." Niki nodded behind him.
Fundy rolled his eyes, but before he could start shouting again, Tubbo's voice rang out.
"Dream! Here to oversee the meeting, I assume?" He asked. When Dream confirmed, Tubbo said, "Quackity said he thought he heard something, so he'll be late, but Eret's here."
Tubbo's eyes flickered to Niki. Niki shrunk back.
"You'll excuse my Protegé. They're a bit shy, and selectively mute too."
Niki nodded from behind Dream, liking the idea of the name 'selectively mute'. She should use it more often.
Tubbo's face was full of understanding, and he beckoned them in.
The meeting was boring and uneventful.
Nothing of interest happened apart from Quackity bursting in halfway through and settling himself next to Tubbo.
Fundy was exceptionally rude to Dream (which reminded her forcefully of Tommy), even though Dream had been perfectly polite to him all day. That made Niki dislike him, and with Dream's rants about how he was only trying to be nice to him + the Flag Burning, it turned into hate.
Eret didn't say much. He only intervened when needed and was overall very quiet. But as Dream told stories about his wealth and greed, and how he had sold Manberg for a crown.. Well, she also started to dislike him, though it mingled with her previous experiences with him, painting him in a bad light.
Quackity was just plain annoying. So annoying, in fact, that she had to get a breath of fresh air.
Tubbo was the only one who she hadn't changed the opinion of that much, apart from the fact that he was a shitty leader. But he was just a kid, she could accept that. As a plus, he had exiled Tommy, which put him in Niki's good books.
"Except he only cares about Manberg now." he said. "He even exiled his own best friend. He's supporting a dying country. I feel bad for the kid, personally."
Niki felt sympathy for him, even if it was mingled with a little dislike, but it was understandable. Tubbo just didn't notice how different, how utterly useless the nation was.
Never trust a kid with an adult's job.
There was no-one in Manberg whom she trusted.
She could easily get sold to the wrong side by Eret.
Fundy was just a bitch in general, and he seemed like he couldn't keep a fucking secret. He betrayed people easily, for his own personal gain.
Tubbo was.. he was distraught, Niki could tell. Tired. Hypnotized. She would help him. But for now she couldn't trust him.
Ranboo.. she wasn't sure. Maybe she could convince him to fight for the SMP. But he was still her brother.
Quackity was expendable.
She only fully trusted one person.
Dream had been there for her, promised her something no-one else had, not even Technoblade, not even Wilbur.
She only had Dream left.
Dream knew everyone.
He could protect her.
No-one else knew each other as well as Dream did. Dream knew exactly who would backstab him and who wouldn't.
She started going on smaller missions with him, one of her favourites being the time she went to Techno's house.
He had greeted her politely, and Niki had immediately liked him. She saw herself in him. They were supposed to be looking for Tommy, but Niki didn't think Techno would hide him.
Still, she didn't trust him as much as Dream. Though, she could come over for a sleepover, maybe, one day?
The real revelation was when a boy in a red hood and frown mask suddenly appeared in the headquarters.
"Niki, this is Tommy." He said calmly.
Niki's heart stopped. What was he doing here? Why was he-
Before she could do anything, Dream was gripping her by the shoulder. "He's figured out the right side." He added with a smirk.
"You-"
"Don't kill eachother, guys."
And with that, Dream walked away.
Tommy and Niki stared at each other.
She drew her axe – always an axe – and brought it to Tommy's throat. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't slit your throat right now?"
Tommy shrugged. "Because Dream said so."
Niki narrowed her eyes, but obviously he couldn't see it. "You took everything from me."
Her voice shook ever so slightly. Tommy sighed and took off his mask. She was used to his face being dirty from scrapes he and Tubbo got themselves into, but not- not this.
There was a scar running down his from his chin. His eyes were sunken, not holding the fire she knew him to have. His now dirty-blonde hair was long, going into a ponytail he hadn't had a while ago. It was greasy and desperately needed a brush through it.
She lowered her axe. "You look like hell."
"Let's see you, then."
Niki hesitantly took off her mask. Tommy's eyes widened, then he winced.
"You don't look nearly as bad as me." He decided. Niki laughed, and realized she hadn't laughed in a while. Tommy started laughing too, and once they started, it was hard to stop.
After the laughter finally died down, they stared at each other. Niki ruffled his hair, and just like that, everything was forgiven.
She didn't know how.
Or even why, actually.
It just was. She knew he was just as betrayed as she was. Just as hurt.
They enjoyed it together.
That day she exchanged her mask for one identical to Tommy's.