Nightmare doesn't organize a raid for another three days. The others are well enough to go after two days, but Nightmare has become reluctant to push them. Cross was especially confused at the wait. With more pressure from Nightmare, the matter was dismissed. Their Boss knows the balance best. If he says they can wait, then it must be fine.
The AU chosen for today is a copy of one of the many Fell variants. Nightmare won't admit that he's holding a grudge for Killer's leg. Said maniac is running around and chasing a dog monster with crazed cackling. Nightmare is crouched in the shadow of a building with one hand firmly planted in the snow. While this is primarily a supply raid to restock their supplies, Nightmare sees no sense in wasting an opportunity to spread negativity. His magic seeps into the very code of this AU and poisons it. It'll take months for the inhabits to shake off his influence. Infecting the AU generates much more negativity than
his boy's rampaging alone. This AU is already rather negative, but every small push is good for the balance.
"Boss," Horror calls out, coming to stand beside Nightmare.
"Report," Nightmare says, still infecting the AU with his magic.
"We're almost done with Snowdin. Dust and Cross have most of the supplies we need and-" Horror stops.
When the other monster's emotions take a sharp turn, Nightmare shoots his feet into a defensive position. Before he can ask what's wrong, Horror pulls his axe off his back and breaks out into a sprint.
"Dust!" Horror screams as he round the corner. Nightmare is too slow to grab him before he's gone. Horror's magic doesn't work well, and he sometimes forgets that others can travel much faster than him.
Nightmare growls in annoyance and steps back into the shadows before teleporting. Dust and Cross were left at the entrance to the small town. Nightmare appears just within the tree line. What he sees makes his magic boil. Nightmare doesn't know how Horror knew, but Dust is trapped, pinned to the ground with purple chains made from Ink's magic. Dream's magic fills the AU as he jumps out of a portal. Cross is forced to abandon his run towards Killer when he has to block Dream's attack. Dust struggles against the chains as Ink readies to swing his brush like a batter. It takes more magic to do so, but Nightmare doesn't think twice before teleporting without eh assistance of the darkness.
Nightmare's four extra limbs catch Ink's paintbrush before the attack can land. He lashes out with his dark magic and breaks the chains keeping Dust down. From the side Horror comes bounding in on all fours and tackles Ink to the ground. Nightmare has a moment breath as Dust scrambles to his feet. A Gaster Blaster goes off from the other side of a building, and Killer runs around the corner as he ducks out of the way of Blue's giant war hammer.
"They weren't supposed to be here so soon," Nightmare grumbles. He's even less impressed as the local Sans an Papyrus join the fight. He'll kill them first next time.
Nightmare doesn't have the chance to rest long as he ducks to avoid a well-aimed arrow. The Guardian then lunges back to avoid a spray of paint, pulling Dust with him. Nightmare is a bit surprised to realize that both of them are purposely targeting him. Horror almost sunk his axe into Ink's shoulder when the God ignored the other to send that last attack. Blue and the two locals have diverted Cross and Killer's attention. Blue has always fought more to stall than maim. Horror and Dust are both wicked fighters, but Dream and Ink largely outclass them. Nightmare spends more time playing defense than actually launching his own attacks.
Manifesting a wall of bones, Nightmare stops an arrow midair while sending back his own projectile. Dust backs up the attack with a barrage of his own magic. Horror lunges for Ink again. The God's superior speed allows him to dance out of the way. Nightmare has to lunge forward and bash Ink away with a strong blow to the abdomen to get Horror out of the vulnerable position. Rapid blows are exchanged back and forth. Nightmare's quick reflexes and his boy's battle proficiency keep them from taking too many hits. Cross and Killer fare better, and Nightmare even chuckles when they dust the Papyrus.
The prolonged fight takes its toll. Minor injuries start to accumulate. Nightmare is shocked when his visions blurs for a moment. All the magic he's using is feeding his growing exhaustion. They don't have all the supplies they need, but this battle is not going in their favor. Nightmare's senses are dulling. While his mind is distracted planning an exit strategy for his boys, he fails to pick up on Dream's next attack.
Nightmare gasps and stumbles forward. With the searing pain, it takes him a moment to realize what happened. An arrow is halfway buried into his back. The battlefield seems to pause. Dream is frozen with his bow still up, shock on his face. Dream has never managed such a shot on his brother before. Nightmare is not one to waste an opportunity like this. Despite the pain, he grabs Horror and Dust each by an arm and strains his magic to teleport. The three reappear beside Cross. Nightmare sends out a vicious wave of magic that makes Blue and the local Sans jump away. It's a party trick Nightmare learned: nothing but color and light, but works as a good scare tactic.
"Make a portal," Nightmare commands Cross. The knight doesn't why Nightmare doesn't do it himself. Cross rips open a portal with his weapon. Ink sends a wave of red paint at the fleeing monsters. Nightmare is second too slow when his magic falters, but Dust is able to get a wall of bones up to reflect most of the splash. A moment later they're all tumbling through the portal.
"Shit," Dust hisses, stumbling to his feet. "Nightmare, are you okay?"
"Let me take a look! It's really deep," Cross says shakily.
"I'm fine!" Nightmare snaps. When he realizes that he's the only one still kneeling on the ground, he surges to his feet with a slight stumble. Killer tries to steady him, but Nightmare pulls away before he's touched. The Guardian can feel their pity. He can feel them looking down on him just like the villagers did. The pain is making him feel vulnerable and not quiet clear minded. "I'm not weak," Nightmare snarls. He uses one one tendril to grasp the arrow shaft and yank on it without another thought. The pain almost sends Nightmare back to the ground. He tosses the arrow away with a loud hiss.
     "We didn't say you were weak," Horror mumbles.
     "Your bleeding pretty bad," Killer says uneasily.
     "It will stop," Nightmare grumbles. He pushes past the others and storms away. "Attend to yourselves," Nightmare says over his shoulder.
     Barely making it into his room and getting the door close, Nightmare doubles over as the pain and exhaustion begin taking their full effect. His rally in front of the others was all just a show. Nightmare clutches at his chest and has to use the wall as support while his tentacles drag on the floor behind him. He drags himself into the bathroom and uses the vanity sink as support. Every movement causes more pain, but with a bit of struggle, Nightmare manages to pull off his hoodie. The magic corruption covering it seems to retreat from the fabric and cling to Nightmare's bones.
     The Guardian faces his dark reflection. Nightmare's right scapula is shot clean through. Magic and blood leak from the wound and mix with the black tar. Nightmare pants and his breath slightly fogs the glass. Something is wrong. The bleeding should have already stopped. The corrupted magic coating his body is good at covering up and stabilizing wounds while they heal. Nightmare sometimes can't tell where injuries lie thanks to his goopy body. He's always been a fast healer even without assistance. The negative emotions that his magic feeds on is enough to keep him going.
     Nightmare's visions blurs. He holds tight onto the vanity. His extra limbs feel way too heavy to assist. He tries to focus his singular eye on his reflection. In his own glowing blue eye Nightmare swears that he sees a flash of purple right before his world begins to tilt on its axis. His grip slips from the smooth porcelain. Nightmare only dimly feels himself crash to the floor. His eye slowly falls closed.