Note: I'm aware they are on the surface. Just think that they are in Snowdin in UnderSwap.

(Neil's POV)

"You sure this would work?" I asked Lanny. All four of us were in a circle next to the trees, Lanny holding an orb of dark magic. Dream was watching all of it with a straight expression while Quetz and I were eating some apples. Dream looked briefly in our direction, uncomfortably staring at the fruits.

I wonder what's up with Dream...

"I'm sure of it. While Dream is distracted, Quetzalcoatl will pin him down with his vines. That will leave me an opening to use my magic. This magic will be able to rid of him of the dark energy that surrounds him, saving him from it." She concluded. For some reason, Quetz seemed...uncomfortable.

"Something wrong guys?"

"No. Nothing's wrong." The life guardian smiled, his colorful feathers blowing in the breeze. "I just wonder how we're going to get Nightmare to come out. He won't exactly oblige right now."

"He's not Nightmare..." Dream mumbled.

"Say something buddy?"

"No." He stood up and grabbed his bow. "I can get Nightmare into the open."

"I can't let you do that!" Lanny commanded at him, but he didn't flinch. "You could get hurt by him."

"Aunt Lanny, I'm already strong enough. Trust me, I've battled him many times before I met you all. I can handle one more fight, besides you said it was just a distraction to begin with."

She slung to the edges of her coat, sighing in defeat. "All right. As soon as Nightmare makes his mark, we leave and head straight to the plan. But Neil..." I bolted up, I was dozing off. "You should stay here. In case things go wrong." I wanted to object, but considering last time I went I nearly got flattened by rubble, I nodded.

"Got it!"

Dream started to grip his head in pain, but no one else was noticing.

(Dream's POV)

Why does my head hurt so much?

Dream... A voice echoed in my head, but it wasn't mine.

Dream, please respond! This is important!

Wait, this is Nightmare calling to me! But why is he trying to connect to me while I'm awake?

Brother, if this is a joke, it isn't funny! Contact me right now!

"Lanny, Quetz, is it okay if I take a nap for now?" I could tell Quetz was confused by that question.

"I thought you already had sleep a while ago." Me and Neil exchanged glances, and he nodded in understanding.

"Maybe he didn't sleep well. You know, happens to all of us." He joked.

"Make it quick Dream. We need to be ready for Nightmare's move." Lanny waved me off. Running toward the nearest tree, I got into position and quickly closed my eyes.

Instead of feeling the ground, I fell straight on something. Or rather someone. Both of us groaned as I quickly got off Nightmare, flattened and wincing from hitting the chains on the ribs. "What was so important that you wanted to call me while I was awake?" Nightmare looked worried and shook me a little.

"I managed to eavesdrop on Terror's conversation with Killer. He's planning on invading Underswap by themselves."

"Why would they be going to Underswap of all places?"

"There have been multiple souls from multiple au's occupying Underswap. Terror sees it as an opportunity to spread negativity among multiple universes."

I gasped lightly to myself. Are they doing this to prove that no one will be able to trust my brother anymore? I can't-! ...Wait a second! "Nightmare, I have an idea! You have to let Terror head to Underswap, don't fight with them." His expression was a combination of shock, worry, and 'are you crazy right now'.

"Why would you want that?! Do you want them to destroy and kill all those people?" I smiled and shook my head, which only made him more confused.

"No, listen to me. Me and my new friends made a plan. When Terror is out in the open, I'm going to hit them in places that will weaken him. Then one of my will pin him down and the other will remove the dark energy out of you. It will be able to save you, and if the residents of Underswap see you like this, they'll have to believe what I say! It's full proof!" He didn't seem convinced though.

"I don't know...what if it damages more than the energy in my soul?"

"I know it seems like a long shot, but it's the best I can come up with. I know it doesn't seem right, but if you trust, we can get you to come back. Do...you trust me?" My soul went heavy for a minute. I could hear Terror's voice echo in my head in disgust.

He HATES you for abandoning him. Well, I'm not abandoning him this time!

He paced around in silence, thinking if the plan was going to work. Finally, he sighed and nodded with a small smile. "Fine. I trust you, just don't mess it up. I have full trust in your friends and your plan."

"Thank you Night. You won't regret this plan, just sit tight."

(At Underswap)

"Ink, what should we do about Dust and Horror?" Blueberry asked as the two strolled through Snowdin.

"We'll just keep them around for now. Did you feed Horror your tacos?"

"Yep! Didn't expect him to wolf it all down! He might be one of the few that like my food."

"You'll have to ask him if he wants any more." Blue spotted his brother a little bit away, and they wave each other off.

"My brother agreed to help Alphys with patrols. Hopefully nothing will go wrong..." Suddenly, a portal is ripped open in the air, catching the resident's attention. Blue and Ink got their weapons ready, preparing for any threat. What they weren't prepared for was a skeleton falling out and landing perfectly. Blue eyes turned into stars as they stared at Dream, then openly went for a hug. Ink noticed how Dream stepped back from the sudden hug, but also something else... "Dream, friend! The magnificent Blueberry is happy you're alright! Where have you been?!" Dream laughed for a second, surprising both of them.

"Oh well...Just catching up with family."

"F-Family?" The portal got wider as Quetz and Lanny hopped out in front of them. Ink looked mildly surprised, but Blue's jawbone probably dropped to the ground.

"So these are your comrades?" Manny politely asked Dream, and he nodded. Some of the residents gawked at the two guardians while Dream talked to Ink. The painter seemed to be scanning him up and down.

"You look different..." he flatly stated.

"Oh, my clothes? Lanny over there made them for me, I kind of like them."

"Not just that..." Ink puts his hand at the top of his skull, then Dream's. "You're taller than me now." He frowned, Dream smiled.

"Sorry about that. Guess it can't be helped?"

"Where have you been for the past few weeks? And how did you manage to escape?" All the not-so-short guardian did was point at his aunt.

"My aunt and Neil helped me."

"Who?"

"The cat you met a while ago."

"I don't have good memory Dream, you know that!" Dream smiled at his friend, Ink watching as Blue was talking to the older guardians. His face was frozen from their questions, he was twirling his scarf in confusion and being awkward. "Dream..."

"Nightmare's coming here right now." That made both of his friends snap their heads toward. Dream could feel their fear, or at least Blueberry's fear, radiate off their soul.

"N-Nightmare?! At MY home?! Why is he coming here? Is he going to end all of us? And most of all...WHY ARE YOU SO CALM SAYING THAT?!" Blue was practically hit up the head by Lanny, who only gave a annoyed expression. Blue whimpered in pain, but Dream wasn't fazed. "Owww"

"You really don't know how to use your inside voice, do you?" She groaned. Quetz sadly smiled as he piled some snow on the bruised area, but it kind of just covered Blue entire head, sending him to the floor.

"ow..." Dream helped him back up.

"It's okay Blue, I got a plan. But I need you all to trust me on this. And sorry for my aunt hitting you on the head, she's not used to other mortals." Blue looked at him.

"Mortals? And what plan are you talking about?"

"I'm going to use myself as bait to lure Nightmare out."

"WHAT?!" Again another hit to the skull.

"It's okay Lanny, this is just how he is." Dream shielded his friend, who started leaning on Ink to stand up again. Lanny rubbed her head to ease the ringing in her ears.

"I'm actually surprised you manage to still hear when you're around him." Quetz was snickering to himself.

"I actually find him quite entertaining."

"You would, wouldn't you?" Lanny replied to him. "You ready for the plan Dream?" The three exchange nods each other. As Quetz started telling all the residents to take cover, Lanny nodded the little skeletons off as she disappeared into the forest, determined to find Nightmare. Before Dream could go off to Waterfall, Ink briefly stopped him.

"You sure you don't need me or Blue to help?" He asked his friend.

"It's okay Ink, I'll be fine. Just...if anything goes wrong, please don't attack my brother. Please, that is my request and order." Without another word, Dream runs into the mist and passes the border into Waterfall. Meanwhile, hidden among the starry rocks and glowing water, a black figure walks silently in the shadows, watching the unaware au's walk side by side. A small smile creeped on his face.

Oh, there is going to be pain~...