Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nightmare spent many years wandering the Aus and causing misery in order to strengthen himself with negativity. He has theorized with himself that he is the reason more Sanses have become aware of the universes beside themselves that existed. Nightmare did have conflict with the Protector of Aus, Ink, from time to time. 

Ink made a decision to start the Council, made up of Sanses who realized there was more outside of their game. Ink then saved Nightmare’s brother Dream from being trapped in stone. Dream and Ink then recruited Blueberry and formed the Star Sanses.

Though Nightmare was very strong, he found himself more easily defeated when outnumbered. So, he recruited Killer, Dust, Horror, and Cross. Making his own gang. Together they found an empty Au, with nothing in it. They scoured the Multiverse, got resources, and built a homebase (Clubhouse). 

Though there was turmoil that Nightmare’s Gang had not caused. The Au, Aftertale, which housed Geno, had disappeared without a trace. This led to an increase in panic, fear, and uncertainty in all Aus. Death was especially affected, as he had a crush on Geno, and though he did flirt with him, had never outright admitted his true feelings.

The Star Sanses toured the Aus, calming the citizens, and trying to figure out what had caused Aftertale to just disappear out of nowhere. No answer was ever found. After several years the paranoia settled, and Death made peace with the fact he would be left without Geno forever.

In a place of everything and nothing, there was Geno, going through a transformation. His mind wiped of all memories, his appearance made unrecognizable, a choir of voices driving him insane. In a place made of just white, Geno lost his mind.

Chapter Text

Nightmare was having a pleasant dream about his childhood. Him and Dream playing tag while running around the Tree of Feelings. When suddenly an apple feel on Nightmare’s head. Waking him up from his dream.

Nightmare sat up quickly, before laughing to himself mildly. His brother always went out of his way to give him pleasant dreams. Getting out of his king sized bed Nightmare summoned his slimy form out of his soul, and let it envelop him. He felt the silk of his pillows, as he walked out of the cold dark room. 

Right outside the door was Nightmare’s right hand man, Killer. He held out a cup of hot coffee to Nightmare. It was just the way Nightmare liked his coffee, with lots of sugar and milk. As he drank the coffee they walked together downstairs and to the living room.

The mansion which housed Nightmare’s gang was full with life. Though most people would argue its size to be comparable to that of a large house, seeing as how it had 10 bedrooms and bathrooms. It housed his minions; Horror, Dust, Cross, and Killer well. They all insist to everyone that the mansion they live in is enormous.

Nightmare sat on the largest chair in the room, and let his tentacles relax over the chair. Killer sat down in his chair slightly smaller than Nightmare’s next to him. While it was fun to watch his underlings playing, when Nightmare glanced down at his watch, he shot up in shock.

“It’s already noon!” He shouted, much to surprise of his lackeys.

“None of us wanted to wake you up.” Killer said plainly.

Nightmare sat back down with a groan. Thinking the dream must have been a ploy by his brother to keep him from spreading misery. Nightmare cleared his throat, and opened a portal to the Au Underfell. The boys dropped their controllers and walked with moans into the Au. Killer than followed, with Nightmare closing the portal after entering Underfell with his gang.

Nightmare felt his phone vibrate, and saw that Dream had texted him. “Could you please not spread misery in any Aus today? Ink’s chest is hurting so I’m at Sci’s with him to see what is wrong.”.

A sly smile grew on Nightmare’s face, as he replied with, “>:D”.

Even when separated by thousands of Au’s, Nightmare could feel the anxiety racing out of Dream.

The streets erupted into chaos as Nightmare’s gang ran around Underfell scarring and killing monsters. Killer walked with him sort of like a bodyguard, as Nightmare continued sipping his coffee.

After about ten minutes of absorbing negativity the Star Sanses arrived. Dream did his typical pleas with his brother that he doesn’t have to be evil, but it fell to deaf ears. Blueberry was the main muscle behind the Star Sanses, and it took both Horror and Dust working together to match his strength. 

Blueberry decided to rush right into combat, shooting a blaster at Dust. Horror chucked an axe, but as everyone here is a Sans, they are exceptional at dodging. Blueberry jumped, did a backflip, then used a bone like a baseball bat to hit the axe back in the direction of Horror.

Luckily Ink seemed out of the fight. He was breathing heavily, and was only throwing out weak attacks.

Ink suddenly let out a shrill scream, and collapsed to the ground. Fighting ceased as Dream and Blueberry ran to his side. They checked him for injures, as Ink cried out in pain. Nightmare could feel the worry emanating out of Dream and Blueberry.

“Something’s happening to a copy of the Au Freshtale.” Ink coughed out weakly as he opened a portal to the Au. 

Magic so strong burst out, that it sent everyone flying several feet back, and made the portal expand in size to nearly that of a movie theater screen. Mountains of dust flowed out blocking out light and making everyone start coughing. After the silence, came manic laughter.

Everyone was on the ground in shock, as a Sans walked by, seemingly not noticing the portal. A feeling of fear, panic, and relief surprisingly emits from this new guy. The word error floats around the black skeleton. He looks in the direction of the portal, but not through it. Its clear he senses the magic, but can’t place it.

With a black jacket, redshirt, and dark blue shorts. He wears brown boots, fit for muddy places. One eye is white, the other red and yellow. A long light blue cape, or scarf. Blue tears down his face, and a smile with sharp light yellow teeth.

The skeleton turned away from the portal, where everyone then saw the complete disarray in the copy of Freshtale. The Frisk ran away, where he then entrapped them in his strings. Pulling out their soul, he seemed to grab code out of it, crushing the code.

In seconds the Au disintegrated, and he portaled somewhere unknown. The portal closed by itself, releasing another wave of magic over everybody. Both Nightmare’s gang and the Star Sanses laid on the ground in silence. Ink cried out in pain again, and started coughing up paint. 

“What the fuck?!” Dust yelled out in both confusion and fear.

Nightmare however was having much different thoughts. Dream was weaker due to how much negativity was spread around.  Though Dream could tell there was some sort of positive emotion from his brother in regards to this new skeleton. 

In the silence, an agreement was made. Blueberry made a portal to the headquarters of the Council, where both the Star Sanses and Nightmare’s gang entered.

Though at first the council was in shock over Nightmare’s gang joining them, after the explanation of this brand new skeleton, a new fear set in.

“Could he have been the reason Aftertale disappeared?!” Outer cried out at the news of the destruction.

“For there to have been such an outflow of magic this Sans must have killed millions.” Sci stated.

Nightmare’s tentacles grew more heavy with magic, due to the negativity in the room. He did think of the possibility of this skeleton being the death of Geno, but seeing as how all original Sanses were here, reasoned that he must only destroy copies of Aus.

Dream cleared his throat to get the attention of everyone. “While yes this is scary everyone, I’m sure this skeleton can be reasoned with.”.

The emotions in the room remained gloomy, but a spark of hope washed over Death.

“Y’all described this guy as having a white eye, and glitches around his body. Do you think there is a chance that Geno, transformed into this guy?” Death asked, with optimism.

“I knew Geno, he wouldn't be so cruel as to destroy an Au.” Ink said sadly.

Killer whispered to Nightmare, “Boss, mayhaps if we make a temporary truce with the Star Sanses and Council, we would have up to date knowledge at anytime about this guy. I saw the awe in your eye about how much magic was unleashed by this skeleton.”. Killer had a smug mood as he shared the plan.

Nightmare felt a small amount of embarrassment, a small fluster on his face, that was unable to be seen because of the slimy magic covering his body.

Nightmare decided to use his most powerful manipulation tactic to convince his own brother of a temporary truce.

“Brother?” Nightmare asked while standing out of his chair.

“Yes brother!” Dream replied, excited that Nightmare called him brother.

“I wanted to suggest that my gang and your group have a temporary truce in regards to this new skeleton. Such as a group chat with all of us so everyone knows what is happening. Also as the strongest skeleton in the Sans Aus I want to be the first one to talk with him.” Nightmare said boldly.

Though everyone in the Council immediately realised that Nightmare wants to recruit this massively powerful skeleton, Dream obliged him immediately and made a group chat.

“Nightmare that is a wonderful idea! Absolutely, no questions asked!” Dream dismissed the meeting happy with the conclusion. 

Nightmare and his gang portaled back to the mansion, and just after a few minutes got a notification from the group chat. This skeleton was spotted by Outer in Outertale, on a cliff overlooking the void, watching the stars in the sky. Outer took a picture from practically a mile away.

Nightmare gave a nod to Killer, then portaled himself a fair distance from this skeleton. He saw Death also observing this new guy.

“Death, the agreement my brother and I made said I would be the one to introduce myself.” Nightmare stated coldly to Death.

Death felt shivers of fear creep up his back. He gave an unconfident smile to Nightmare, then teleported to hide somewhere he thought Nightmare couldn’t see him. 

Nightmare can still feel his presence, but decides to just ignore Death at the moment.

Walking closer to this new skeleton, he noticed that the destroyer was whispering to himself. Taking in a deep breath, it was near overwhelming how much negativity was released from this person.

Nightmare sat down beside him, and took out his phone, calling Killer.

The ring snapped the new guy’s attention, but Nightmare just did his best to look unbothered, even with how much magic this guy could use to kill him.

Killer knew the tactic Nightmare was using, look vulnerable in front of new prey. Pretend it’s no big deal that he himself was here.

“Hey boss, how you doing?” Killer asked as calmly as he could manage with the rest of the gang making him be on speaker phone because in the five minutes Nightmare had been gone he shared the fact he saw Nightmare blush when he saw the new skeleton.

The new skeleton eased himself slightly, but Nightmare could sense that he was preparing to summon magic if necessary.

“Oh, I’m in good health. I’m currently in Outertale star gazing. What are you and the others doing right now?” Nightmare kept his face focused on the sky filled with stars. 

“We are currently drinking hot chocolate and hanging around the fireplace, reading calmly.” Killer had to say while stifling giggles with the others.

Nightmare felt a small amount of curiosity spill out of new skeleton. A slight sly smile made it’s way to Nightmare’s face. 

“That’s sounds so calming, why don’t you teleport two cups to me in a few minutes.” Nightmare said with confidence laced into his voice.

The gang looked at each other in quiet panic then a quick, “Sure boss!”. The gang discovered they had no spare packets of hot chocolate, so they robbed Fell and quickly made homemade hot chocolate.

Nightmare could feel their panic from so far away, it made him chuckle. Hanging up the phone, he put it on the mildly wet dirt on the ground. Nightmare could feel the eyes of Death and the new skeleton looking into him.

Nightmare turned his upper body toward the new skeleton. Trying to give a small smile, he decided to introduce himself.

“Hello. I am King Nightmare, and I lead a gang that causes misery in the Sans Aus. I saw your impressive work in that copy of Freshtale. I will share my second cup of hot chocolate with you if you introduce yourself.” Nightmare kept it simple, but also gave motivation to the new guy to share about himself.

The skeleton looked Nightmare over, analyzing him. He put his hands to his cheeks, where his strings are. Nightmare could feel contemplation happening inside the skeleton’s head. Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Nightmare was tied up. Death peeked out more from behind a tree.

“I am Error. The Destroyer of Aus. Get in my way, and I will hurt you.”. Error said in a rehearsed manner. 

“You won’t kill me?” Nightmare asked while looking Error over.

Error thought it over for a minute, his eyes looking around at the ground. “Original Aus aren’t meant to be destroyed. Nightmare, though we have never met, you have a purpose that lets you live, no matter what I do.”. Error than opened a portal to a place known as the Anti-Void.

Death suddenly rushed forward. “Hey, have we met before?”. Surprising Error.

Error reached to his cheeks for his strings, but his gaze stayed on Death for a moment. Some familiarity left from Error, but mostly confusion at that feeling.

“You are Death, we haven’t met, but I know who you are.”. Error looked Death over again.

Death had mountains of positivity radiation out of him.

“Geno! It’s me! We are friends, aren't we?” Death floated right near to Error’s face.

Error then pushed Death away from him, not forcefully, but enough to make distance.

“ Geno has ceased to exist, no memories or feelings, just nothing. ”. Error stated, then walked into his portal. Closing it behind himself.

After about a minute of silent thinking from both Death and Nightmare.

“Geno’s alive! He’s alive!” Death shouted out in joy.

His happiness made Nightmare cringe. Though this was valuable information. 

Two cups of hot chocolate materialized on the ground in front of them both.

“That was Geno! He’s back!”. Death shouted with glee at Nightmare.

Death then realized that Nightmare was still tied up, and helped to unravel the strings. Once Nightmare was back on his own feet, he picked up the two hot chocolate cups.

Though Nightmare wanted Error to only be an ally to him and his gang, now that he knew Death may be able to influence him, he wanted Death to have a favorable view of him.

Handing Death one of the hot chocolate cups, Nightmare lied, “I am glad your Geno is back.”.

Death was practically screeching in joy, typing the news into the group chat. Nightmare sipped from his own cup, trying to think up a plan to use Death in order to get close to Error.

Ink then materialized out of the ground. He gave a sharp smile to Death and Nightmare.

Nightmare can’t feel any emotion from Ink, but this is always expected. 

“Since we have confirmed this guy used to be Geno, let's make a plan of rehabilitation for him!”. Ink shouted out.

Death got a look of fear, “What do you mean by rehabilitation?”.

“Maybe he is overwhelmed by how much the Sans Aus are, being used to just the save screen after so long. Maybe I could make an empty Au and trap him inside of it, so he’s back to a familiar place, making him not want to murder people.”. Ink explained.

Anger emitted out of Death, surprising Nightmare slightly.

“Geno was trapped in the save screen for who knows how many years! He is never going to be trapped in an Au ever again!”. Death lectured Ink.

Ink just looked at Death, his words doing nothing to the soulless monster.

“What do you suggest?”. Ink asked.

Death pondered for a few minutes, giving Nightmare the chance text his underlings his observation of events. As well as how he did not want to help reform Error but would go along with a plan so that he could sabotage it.

Death got a look of courage, “I will take Geno out on a date! My poor flirtation and good looks should bring back his memories.”. Death stated confidently.

Nightmare let out a small chuckle, getting the attention of Death and Ink.

“Why not a combination of both ideas? My mansion is a dark secluded place, he could adjust to simpleness that is just not present in Aus. Error would also get connection from myself and my underlings, adapting to interacting with others.” Nightmare suggested.

Death gasped, offended. “My Geno will not be interacting with those crazies you surround yourself with!”.

Ink looked at Death with a bored expression, “You sound like a slave master.”.

Death glared at Ink for his comment, before teleporting out of Outertale.

Ink then looked at Nightmare, something between annoyance and wonder. Though Nightmare knew that Ink felt nothing.

“Error should hang out with Dream, Blueberry and I. We could teach him to be good.”. Ink proposed.

“You don’t know anything there is to know about being a good person, soulless loser.”. Nightmare stated bluntly.

Ink gave Nightmare a sly smile, before dipping into the ground and leaving.

Taking another sip of the hot chocolate the sound of a portal opened behind Nightmare.

Nightmare than felt the eyes of Error on him from behind. Turning around, he saw Error looking at his now halfway finished lukewarm hot chocolate.

Nightmare reached out his cup, which Error snatched out of his hand. Gulping down the chocolate, Error’s tongues licked the inside of the cup clean.

Handing it back to Nightmare, Error portaled away yet again.

Nightmare felt complicated after that exchange. Him and Error both drinking from the same cup, Error pushing away Death, and Ink’s proposed solution.

Nightmare portaled back to the mansion, his boys snickering at their phones. Outer had recorded Error drinking the cup of hot chocolate.

“I’ve gotten his favor, his power will join us soon enough.”. Nightmare said to his gang.

Nightmare felt a mischievous glee in his underlings. After a long sigh he motioned them into the meeting room.

There were a few minutes of silence after everyone sat down, but Nightmare could tell his minions, were all thinking about one thing.

“So, Nightmare, ever felt this way about Geno?”. Killer asked with a grin.

Horror, Dust, and Cross leaned into the table. In anticipation for Nightmare’s response.

Nightmare considered his words carefully before he spoke. “Error may have been Geno once, but he clearly is no longer. Error has power never known to a Sans before. The ability to completely erase an Alternate Universe. That power would make us be feared by the entirety of Aus.”. Nightmare finished.

“He seems to like chocolate, maybe if we offer him some brownies he’ll join us.” Horror suggested.

“Error calls himself the Destroyer of Aus, so he clearly already hates Ink. We could probably use that as common ground.”. Cross stated.

“I like that he’s efficient!”. Dust called out.

“We need a plan of action to get Error to join us.”. Nightmare declared.

Unbeknownst to Nightmare and his gang, the Star Sanses and Council were making their own plan of action.

Death and Fresh were running around the room with confetti launchers, as the others were drawing up a plan.

Dream had felt his brother’s positive surprise when Error had taken the hot chocolate. Though at the same time he felt the radiating happiness out of Death. Dream also took note of how Ink was very curious about this Error.

Dream let out a wave of magic to get everyone's attention. 

“Death, how committed are you to trying to, um, seduce Error?” Ink asked.

Death let out an offended gasp, “His name is Geno, and when have I not been committed to doing that?”.

“I don’t think Geno has ever liked you, and Error pushed you away.” Ink stated in a matter of fact manner.

Death grasped his chest in shock.

“Ink! How dare you say such a thing about my beloved! He’s just confused and disoriented right now.”. Death pouted out.

Before Ink had a chance to respond, Dream began talking.

“So, Nightmare felt very positive around Error, so I think it would be a good idea to try and let them interact in a natural environment.” Dream suggested.

“Nightmare could corrupt Error to be like him, if I hung out with Error he would be more like me!”. Ink explained.

“You are an emotionless freak, you aren't going near my Geno!”. Death shouted out at Ink.

Fell stood up out of his chair loudly, getting the attention of everyone in the room.

“Why are you both acting so weird about this new skeleton. Death, you and I are friends, you didn’t act this crazy about Geno when he was alive. Ink, I know you like to make friends, but this is aggressive even for you. Nightmare is someone only capable of feeling negative emotions, why does he care about this guy?”. Fell finished.

After some silence, Sci talked. “Are you suggesting that Error is chemically manipulating them to like him?”.

“Yea broski! I haven’t even talked to this fella and he sounds rad to hang with!”. Fresh interjected with.

“Interesting, I’ll wear a hazmat suit when near this guy and collect the air around him for testing.”. Sci said.

“He destroyed a copy of your Au Fresh, he probably hates you.” Ink stated.

Everyone turned to look at Ink in shock. The happy protector of Aus that was always nice to people, had practically just insulted Fresh.

“Wow bro. Not rad at all.”. Fresh said before teleporting away in a poof of glitter.

There was awkward silence in the council. No one wanted to discuss Ink’s behavior, because of how powerful he was. Finally Death turned to Fell.

“I’m crazy about Geno now because I haven't been able to talk with him in who knows how many years. To see him alive has been, euphoric.”. Death said.

“The Geno you know is dead.”. Ink said.

Dead silence once again. Mouths agape in shock once again. Before the negativity in the room would be enough to feed Nightmare for a month, Dream dismissed the meeting.

Dream teleported Ink and Blueberry with him to their base operations in the Doodle Sphere.

Blueberry and Dream were at a loss for words about the situation. 

“Ink, have you had your paints today?”. Blueberry asked, trying to find an explanation for Ink’s behavior.

“Yep! Right as I woke up I drank my regular amount of all of them!”. Ink said with a smile on his face.

After a moment of hesitation, Dream asked, “What are your feelings toward Error?”.

Ink tapped his chin in thought, and said with a smile, “I don’t have feelings Dream, I just see a brand new Au being created right in front of my own eyes.”.

“Why are you being possessive then?”. Blueberry blurted out.

Ink got a look of confusion on his face, his eyes ever changing into different shapes.

“I care this much about all Aus.”. Ink said blankly.

A large feeling of uncertainty leached from Dream, reaching Nightmare back in his mansion.

After their meeting of a plan to recruit Error, Nightmare was fixing up a bedroom just for Error. 

Dark red walls, a large bed with dark blue sheets. A window with shades, and a dresser for clothing.

Horror was downstairs making a feast that would undoubtedly have a chocolate dessert finish.

Killer was sewing up suits for the other members so they could look professional.

Dust was cleaning around the mansion. Cross was making an invitation.

A dinner to celebrate a brand new Au, and welcoming a brand new member of the gang.

Since Nightmare had met Error, he could now track where his soul was. That soul was destroying Aus at a rapid pace. Exhaustion and pain emitted from Error. Nightmare rang a bell downstairs summoning his men

In unison they said, “Everything’s ready boss!”. In a clearly rehearsed manner.

“Change into your suits, Cross give me the invitation. Best behavior, and no bickering or talking behind my back.”. Nightmare told them.

After getting handed the invitation, Nightmare opened a portal to the current Au Error was destroying. 

The air was filled with dust and magic, and though laughter emitted from Error, Nightmare felt his fatigue. Ink showed up suddenly, and looked at Error, not even noticing Nightmare.

“Hey there Error!”. Ink called out.

In less than a second, Error attacked. Ink dodged well, but this was a new enemy. 

Before Nightmare could even tell the battle was over, Ink had dipped away because of his injuries.

Error turned around, and saw Nightmare. Before Error could open a portal, Nightmare stepped forward.

“Hey, how would you like some free chocolate cake?”