(Dream's POV)

I started noticing my dreams have been becoming more...real. Is Nightmare finally trying to reach me? After training with Lanny again, I started to race back to the trees. Quetz was asleep in his branches, Neil sleeping with a blanket over his head. Getting comfortable at the trunks, I close my eyes, letting sleep take over.

I walked in the black atmosphere, coming across my brother. He seemed happy for some reason. He turned to look at me, and smiled.

"Hey Dream. So you managed to make "night terror" angry," He joked.

"Night terror?" I said confusingly.

"You inspired me to name them. They hate it, but they'll have to deal with it now."

"Oh."

We always talked every now and then, explaining to him what is going on. Though at first I felt uncomfortable, granted with where we were.

"Are you sure Terror won't know I'm here?" Nightmare seem to smile for a second.

"They may be living through a piece of my soul, but they can't detect you in here. They'll have to talk to me about that, and I am not telling."

"What do you mean they're living through your soul?" He went a little closer, so our backs were touching.

"Well...Terror's not exactly a person. They're like a phantom, something that's not really there. When they entered my soul, they were more like a mist. When I made a deal with them, they took a tiny part of my soul and fused it with their energy. That made them, and me, into the creature you've been battling for a long time."

I guess that explains some things then, how there is two of them. So Terror is living inside him after a deal. I wonder...

"Brother."

"Hm?"

"Do you hate me?"

Nightmare's eyes shot open as he turned to face me. He looked confused- and most of all- hesitant. "Wh-What do you mean by that?"

"Do you hate me for never helping you?"

"Wh-I...uh..." He didn't know what to say. He looked away for a minute, but I was waiting for his answer. Something was telling me to keep asking. Then, he looked confident as he replied quickly. "No. I don't hate you, I should never hate you. Now, tell me about these new people you've met."

Deciding not to pressure him any further, I told him about Neil. About how I met Lanny and uncle Quetz, he especially seemed focused on that story. He kept leaning in to hear about me training with Lanny to become stronger. To save him.

"They're really planning to help me?" His voice broke, like he was on the brink of crying.

"Yes, she says once I get strong enough, we're going to find a way to bring you back."

"I don't believe it. I thought everyone hated me after all I've done."

"No! The rest of our family wants you back as much as I do! Your not going to be alone here." He hugged me tightly, not caring the chains around him shook.

"T-Thank you. For a-all of th-this, trying to help me." I hugged back.

"We brothers have to stick up for another, right?"

This went on for a little bit longer, but I noticed how Nightmare looked protective, he kept on looking on to the darkness every few minutes, fearing Terror was coming. I kept reassuring him it was going to be fine. Finally, I started to fade away as I was waking up. I bid my brother farewell as I woke up. The night looked beautiful, colorful stars lining up with each other. I got my bow ready and ran toward the falls.

The fog was clear, and Lanny, Quetz, and Neil were waiting. My friend looked like he was holding something behind his back, but he was looking away. Lanny and Quetz were talking about something, but stopped as I came into view.

"Hey Dream. Ready for this?" Quetz asked.

"Uh...for what?" What are they talking about?

"Well Dream, me and Quetz talked about it, and I think it's time for you to have a test." Lanny spoke up. My soul leaped for a few moments.

*Note: Sorry, I didn't put a time skip. But yeah, this takes place probably a week after Dream starts training. Sorry!

"B-But I'm still not as strong!" Neil gripped my shoulder slightly, a kind smile on his face. Lanny only sighed a little.

"I'm aware your not as strong as me, but I want to see IF you've grown in strength. Are you ready?"

"It's okay buddy. Let's just do it. Besides, I've got a little gift for you, but only after this test." Neil whispered.

"Really?"

"Mhmm."

(No one's POV)

After that, Dream got into position. Lanny made a small arrow of light, which looked similar to Dream's old arrows. It occurred to the little skeleton how small they were. Lanny then summons a orb of magic, and the energy it gave off was cold and foreboding, almost like a replica of Nightmare's magic. It floated off the edge and into the sky away from them.

"Now, think of that orb as your brother's magic attacking people. Watch the arrow I'm throwing." The arrow flies into the sky, hitting the orb directly. However, as it dissipated, the orb grew back and only got larger. "That was your arrow before. Your arrows could do damage before, but it never lasted against Nightmare. He would heal rather quickly after getting hit. I want to see if your arrows have increased in strength and power. When you're hit the orb with as much as you can."

Dream's soul was pounding. The orb was so huge, how was he supposed to hit that? The thought of Nightmare came to him. How happy he looked when he heard he was going to be helped. How he, his brother, was getting stronger to help him. He wants to come back.

Nightmare, hold on!

Light illuminated as the arrow appeared before the bow. Everyone was shocked, even Dream himself, from the arrow's look. This arrow was longer, almost as long as the bow, and was sharp to the touch. The head was more slanted and focused, and shone brightly in front of them. Getting into focus, Dream pulled back and aimed. Then, the arrow flew into the air at blazing speeds. The orb exploded into pieces, falling and disappearing into the clouds below.

Neil's mouth dropped to the floor, Quetz was impressed, and Lanny was pleased. She patted Dream on the shoulder as he dropped the bow. Two words made him smile in that moment...

"You pass."

"Thank you! Does this mean..."

"It means you can battle more effectively. We'll be able to save Nightmare in no time."

"Dream, I want to show you something!" Neil called out. Full of happiness, Dream and Neil were running back to the trees. However, Quetz looked concerned about something.

"What's wrong brother? You don't look happy for Dream." Lanny said confused. He shook his head.

"I am happy for him, more than ever. It's just...I feel like there is a meaning behind your teachings."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You've always used fake projections for teachings. You never used dark magic like Nightmare's before. And what you said, 'picture this as your brother's magic', got my attention."

"Lanny, is there a secret meaning you're wishing to tell me?"

"No. Dream's magic wouldn't be effective on others like Nightmare's dark magic. I needed to see how it would react to attacking his specific magic. That's all, and he's ready. No need to continue on. Let's go celebrate." Lanny walked away before anything else was said.

Meanwhile, Neil looked excited about something with Dream covering his eyes. "Neil, what is it? I'm getting worrisome for you." The skeleton felt a cloth hit his lap.

"Open your eyes."

Dream was shocked. It was the sun cape, but it was folded and stitched differently. It had two "tails" on its ends. Neil then over his head, covering a little bit of his mouth.

"I made it brand new, since I knew how much that cape meant to you. Hope you like, it was difficult keeping it a secret."

Dream hugged Neil tightly as he crying happily. "Thank you Neil!"

Nightmare, hang on a little longer.