-3rd POV-

A tree sits atop a lone hill. It's graceful leaves sway with the wind. On one side, rests apples the color of gold, and the other, the color of black. Around the tree, litters of broken spears can be seen. Dust particles fly away, being carried wherever by the wind.

Suddenly, a shilloute phases through the tree. Revealing a monster who looks very weakened. The monster chants something as it picks up all the broken spears and tossed them away, into the river which flows down below. A faint, greenish light flickers, and the monster disappears, turning into particles of light.

Where the monster once stood, now rests two baby skeletons who wear the same colors as the apples in the tree. They seem to be fast asleep.

Time goes by, who knows how many years. And the two skeletons still have yet to awaken. Through rain, snow, and windy days, they slept through everything. Holding hands, as if to reassure each other that the other one is there.

One day, something new happens. A skeleton wakes up. It's the golden one. He blinks, and looks around with curious eyes. Oblivious to what will happen in the near future. He finally notices the other skeleton resting next to him.

"E... excuse me...? Hello...Um..." The golden skeleton speaks, unsure of what to really say. But from just speaking, the purple skeleton stirs in his sleep. He too, now awakes from a long coma.

They both just stare at each other, not really sure what to say. Finally, the purple skeleton breaks the silence.

"Hello...are you my brother? My name is Nightmare... what's your name?" Nightmare asks.

"Yes, I think I'm your brother. My name is...Dream. It's nice to meet you." Dream answers as he gives a small smile.

Both brothers find comfort with each other. They play games all day long, not really sure what their purpose is. Until they sleep once more at night, then, and only then, were they greeted by the monster who disappeared.

The monster is nothing more than a faint and fuzzy image. She had exhausted all her strength when making the twins. She gives a faint smile before speaking one last time and placing her hands on their heads.

"My children...you are to guard these apples. They provide both positive and negative emotions. Dream...you are the guardian of positivity. Nightmare...you are the guardian of negativity. Take care, young ones..."

The monster finally dissipates entirely. She becomes nothing more than a piece of cloth that now hangs from the tree. The golden apples slowly morth into a yellow coloring, as if symbolizing passing on the torch. And the black apples, if shined upon, gleam a faint purple color.

Once night passes, the two skeletons awaken once again. They look at each other, then at the tree before looking at each other again. They nod, as if coming to a silent agreement.

While Dream is the outgoing and charismatic one, Nightmare is more reserved and quiet. Dream would ramble on and one about different stories which would pop up in his head, not knowing it were dreams. Nightmare would just listen...he was good at that.

This peaceful time would carry on for a another 5 years. After this... nothing was the same.

_

The skeleton brothers were just doing their usual thing. Telling stories or playing games around the tree. Not noticing a group of villagers make their way up the hill. The leader, being a bunny which is carrying a map that displays the image of a tree. A very familiar tree.

The group stop when they hear the sounds of Dream laughing. They peek from far away, and study both skeleton for days. Finally, the group decides to make their presence known.

Perhaps Nightmare had already known beforehand, but he was more on guard to this group greeting them. Dream, on the other hand, was excited to meet new possible playmates. Not even aware of their malicious and utter motives.

Nightmare pulls his brother back before questioning who this group of monsters were. The leader, the bunny, answers for them.

"Greetings guardians of feelings. My name is Jake. And I am the leader of this small group of monsters. We mean you both no harm." Jake answers.

"Why have you come here? You are not allowed here. Leave at once." Nightmare demands.

"We just wanted to find a place to settle. We have been wandering for days in the hopes of establishing a permanent home. We just wanted to greet our new, possible, neighbors." Jake states.

"Oh, then, hello Jake. My name is Dream, and this is my brother Nightmare. It's very nice to meet you." Dream says as he quickly stands near his side of the tree. He finally remembered to protect the apples.

Jake smiles, a gleam in his eyes. Seems he's figured out who is in charge of what. He glances at another bunny, his second in command, Aubrey. She nods, knowing what Jake means. Aubrey gives a smile, one that would have had many monsters falling for her. She's known to be a green tea, a white lotus. She's good at faking innocence.

"We saw some ruins of an old, abandoned village just down the hill. Would it be alright with you both if we settled there?" Aubrey asks, mostly to Dream.

Dream glances at his brother, as if seeking his opinion. Nightmare shakes his head, but Dream smiles at Aubrey. As if he didn't understand what Nightmare meant.

"It's fine. Just, do not approach the tree. Only with our permission can you come near it." Dream says.

"Great! I'll see you both then," Jake smiles and leads his group of monsters back down the hill.

Nightmare frowns, staring at the group. He seems unsure of Dream's decision, but doesn't comment on it. Suddenly, he spots someone from within the group of monsters. An injured looking fox with two tails. He has fur the color of maple and is subconsciously avoiding most of the villagers. Especially a certain group of kids.

Perhaps it was the amount of negativity that was escaping from the fox, but that lone back was engraved into Nightmare's mind. How curious...