Dream a Nightmare

Dream watched as TommyInnit threw up another ender pearl.

.

.

.

What?

What was he thinking?

That he didn't have to worry about his health? Was he even looking at his hearts?

Dream groaned as the pearl hit the ground and TommyInnit vanished from his position. Sure enough, he died when he was teleported. What was he even thinking would happen? You can't just keep throwing ender pearls.

Dream sighed as the two regrouped, then approached the other Dream. Talking together, they convinced him to give them some more time.

Ostensibly, they would be debating it and thinking about whether or not to comply.

Naturally, they would try to come up with another plan to get the other Dream to give up the discs. Or, at least, that was what Dream assumed.

How disappointed he was when TommyInnit and Tubbo tried pretty much the same thing. What was the point of killing him? What were they hoping to accomplish? Their conviction didn't waver, even then. Models in determination, yes. But determination can easily become as much a downfall as a benefit.

Whatever it was, it didn't matter, really. The other Dream had now won two consecutive conflicts, and he was, of course, not very intimidated by Tubbo and TommyInnit.

So he decided to play one of the discs for them.

I guess everyone is just stupid? Dream thought to himself as he saw the other Dream setting out a jukebox in front of TommyInnit and Tubbo. If that's the case, then it isn't too bad that the two had tried to kill the other Dream unnecessarily. In fact, it might have been good. If their goal was to get the other Dream confident, then... Well, it worked.

The other Dream built up a pillar of dirt, and started to play the disc. Dream watched tensely. Each note strained his ear, like it was screeching. Was something wrong with the music? Surely this wasn't because of nerves, right? Something that hurt this much couldn't just be a feeling.

Dream tried to focus on the music. There was something there. Something old, painful.

This world was not what it seemed.

The other Dream was building little walls around the jukebox. Too late.

Dream knew what was going to happen. He felt the tensing, the anxiety in Tubbo's mind.

Then the jump.

Tubbo dashed towards the other Dream, leaping up onto the platform and reaching for the jukebox.

Too late.

Dream felt the other Dream tense. His reflexes were too quick for...

What?

A strange, soft golden glow pulsed under the other Dream's eyes for a moment, and then Tubbo was there. Grabbing the disc, leaping off the platform.

And he ran. Tubbo hit the ground hard, taking a few hearts of damage, and then he sprinted off. TommyInnit's face was glowing as he followed Tubbo. They had done it again.

Except. The other Dream's arrow flew past TommyInnit. Time was distorted. Every moment. The arrow flew by. The fear radiating from TommyInnit. Then relief as it shot past him. And then fear again, more this time.

He didn't even have time to cry out as the other Dream's sword jutted out from his chest.

They had lost the disc again. After only a few moments. TommyInnit was beginning to lose hope. Dream could sense it in him as he walked out of his house. TommyInnit looked down the path at the other Dream.Taunting, daring him to try. Begging. Soulless, black paint grinning at him. He wasn't even worth a real expression.

Dream felt sorrow. What a strange emotion.

TommyInnit felt rage.

How dare this monster try to take what belonged to him? How dare he?

Dream could feel it rolling off him. No, he would not concede this fight. It had only just begun.

Yes, the war may be nearing its close. But this battle?

It was only getting started.