Chapter Text
The room was deadly quiet, except from a few displeased whispers here and there. And, as hard as it was to admit it, it was true that ignorance began to trap them in an envelop of never-ending fear. Were they here to be executed ? Or to be completely erased from existence ? Many knew the Guardian of Positivity's reputation, and they also all acknowledged his power. In front of the small crowd that they constituted, a platform was raised a few inches taller than their own level on the ground. Scoffing, they silently judged the pretentious give of attention to the "winners" of the conflict. On the wall behind it, a symbol with a circle and bay leaves around it with the initials P.R.C.C.M. were printed on a giant flag hung with all its glory.
Finally, after what felt like days of waiting something to happen, he entered the room. Dream. Along with his associates, Ink, the "Creator" who everyone hated for his incompetence, and Blue, who was way less hated for his genuine kindness. But kindness doesn't suffice to heal people.
"Today marks the very first day of the P.R.C.C.M., Professional Rehabilitation Center for Criminals of the Multiverse, and I am proud to announce I would be its first director. As for the detainees, your stay here will depend on your conduct and your improvement, so-"
"Do we have access to TV ?", cut abruptly Killer. The target-shaped-soul skeleton didn't seem to have listened a word of his former enemy's speech, and he didn't bother showing his disinterest for the event.
"Individual questions will be answered shortly, after the presentation is over," Dream replied with a patient smile, "I will be carrying on what I was saying previously."
Dream did go on, and the room was silent, yes, but no one really was paying attention. The most dangerous individuals of the multiverse have been trapped in here. What did he expect exactly ? To have the attention of people who wanted him to turn to dust ? At first, Killer was having fun with that thought. He asked himself if it was going to be tough or just another playground. He could pick a victim and mess with them and make them go crazy, just for the fun of it. The restrains he had on his wrists cut all the fun off, unfortunately. They were action censors, and they could detect whatever he was doing. At least they didn't have hearing devices for the Star Idiots to spy on him. Or did they?
"Hey, uh, I got another question."
Dream looked like he would do something out of character if someone interrupted him again, but that didn’t prevent the smile on his face to fade away, not a bit. "As I said previously, questions will be answered after the presentation. I will ask you to be a bit patient, Mister Killer."
"you heard him : shut up, mister killer," whispered Dust. His amused smile didn't go over Killer's head.
"You shut up. It's already pretty bad we're here and Nightmare is probably gonna kill us when we come back." He shrugged, and turned toward the quieter skeleton.
"nah, he's definitely gonna kill us. he was very clear with his last statement."
"Patients 012 and 013, please behave and be quiet," commanded Dream, "you're disturbing once again this ceremony. You will be kicked out without any question answered back to your cells if this issue occurs again."
Killer mimicked Dream in a whisper and put his thumb up, showing him he understood the harmless threat. The dozens of other monsters and humans in the room were all glaring at both Killer and Dream. Sending the glares back, Killer grinned, glad his reputation was still intact.
"You will be here for as long as we deem it necessary, and each one of you will be followed by a professional assistant who will record your progress, a doctor who will be permanently present in the establishment, and me, as a therapist for all of you."
"He doesn't even have a degree in that," muttered Killer.
"Some of you have damaged souls, and we will our do best to make them healthy again. We don't wish to harm you, only to help you deal with these issues." Many scoffed at the statement. Who did he think he was to tell them whether they had issues or not ? "Many threats are still in the wild in the multiverse, and we are working on getting them in here. As for your departure, you will be allowed to leave once we judge it appropriate. Efforts and investments are expected from you, of course." Annoyed growls were resonating more and more in the room.
Under the blinding lights of the projectors, Killer noticed a few fellow criminals he knew. There were his buddies Dust, Horror and Cross scattered across the room, and to Killer's disappointment, he learned quickly he couldn't go talk to them as he pleases. He saw, next, to his suprise, Geno. Why he was there, he had no idea, given the fact he never touched someone out of his AU, plus he was a pretty chill guy in his opinion. He guessed he was uncomfortable by the presence of a human next to him who was most likely enjoying it. Killer glared daggers at them, just for the fun of it, and they shifted nervously in their sits. A whole bunch of maniacs, crazy and sometimes stupid versions of pretty much every of the Originals was associated with this program.
"Well! Moving on with the questions, I believe a few of you had some ?" Dream snapped Killer out of his analysis. "Are you gonna watch and listen to everything we do 24/7 ?"
"Uh, outside of meetings with the professionals and your assistant, you will have a sort of intimacy given to you. Also, the shared rooms and exterior places will have cameras everywhere to prevent anything from happening."
"they just want to stop us from having fun," Dust quietly stated, "and they're taking our free will away along with that."
"Do you think it's a matter of time before Nightmare is brought here ?", Killer genuinely asked. "Yeah, he's pretty hard to catch, but if they got us, he's not so untouchable anymore, isn't he ?"
"you're so dumb it just disgusts me everyday to think you're a version of me." Killer wanted to slap the back of his head but he received a light electric shock from his wrist all the way to his spine. "What in the--"
"Ah, I see someone already experienced the restrictions. And here I wanted to at least make it last a day until that." Dream was exasperated by the situation, and it was very clear he was, but he still didn't let go of that damn smile. It was as if he was mocking them or something.
"You maybe want to explain yourself ?", Killer replied, a forced smile replying Dream's.
"Oh, but I did." He heaved a sigh. The tar-leaking skeleton thought the suit and tie didn't really make him look any good, and instead of looking menacing and important, he rather looked like a scared graduating student on the last day of high school.
"I figured a lot of you wouldn't listen to what I had to say today, so each one of you will get a manual in your cells summarizing what was said." He picked up a book from the desk in front of him and showed it to the audience. It was a massive yellow-covered book with nothing but written 'User Manual for P.R.C.C.M.' in capital letters. It looked like the school textbook everyone had but no one really used during the school year. "Any question regarding how the establishment works will be answered in the manual."
"That still doesn't explain why I was electrocuted," Killer insisted.
"I'll repeat myself." Dream readjusted his tie and stood straighter, trying to look imposing. He wasn't. "The handcuffs you have on your wrists are magical restraints. They prevent you from using your magic. They're also used as motion detectors for those of you who have ill intents." He stared at Killer for a few seconds, hoping his message was clear, "If any of you try to hurt the personal or another detainee, you will receive a short electric shock. I hope I have been clear regarding this matter."
There were a few whispers, but no one really dared talk out loud —or in most cases— they didn’t care enough to add something else to Dream's speech. A few feet away from Killer, Cross was glaring at the ground, trying to find a solution. He had to find a way back. He had more important matters to take care of. And what about Nightmare ? Just what would he say about his behavior ? 'Oh God. He's gonna think I betrayed him and kill me for sure. How did I mess up this bad, what am I gonna do, there's no way to escape if so much people are guarding the place, but I'm a royal guard, I should be able to find something, anything-'
"Hey there pal, you alright ?" Cross blinked twice before he even noticed the hand that was put comfortingly on his shoulder. On his right, Geno was waiting for an answer with a patient smile. He sighed and sent it back.
"Oh hey dude. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Me neither but here we are."
Silence followed the short interaction before Dream decided to speak again. The big, white room they were in had three doors on each side. A red light with a "stop" hand sign was hung on each one of them. In front of each, a guard with a white uniform and yellowish hats waited patiently with a gun attached to their belt. They were gazing silently on the room, their faces devoid of emotions. "Now that this ceremony is over, you will be all escorted to your rooms. Please follow the guards based on your number."
Geno and Cross looked simultaneously at their restraints. Geno's number was 104 and Cross' was 079. They both noticed the red light flickering and slowly becoming green, with numbers going from 001 to 240. Each door had a slice of 40. "Heh. Seems like we're not gonna see each other a lot then." Geno playfully remarked.
"Yeah... I hope all of this ends well." Geno's smile became more serious. Passing by Cross, he stopped just enough so he could tell him : "I know you'll try to escape. Be careful. I don't trust these guys. It doesn't feel right." He then proceeded to go in front of his assigned door, lazily waiting. And leaving an anxious Cross all by himself.
On the other side of the room, Killer smirked to himself. 'Oh boy. This is gonna be so fun.'