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"Okay, is everyone ready to go?" Nightmare adjusted his tie, straightening it out before he lowered his hands and looked over at his crew.
"Mhm." Dust nodded.
"Take your hoodie off, please, it will give you away so fast, Dust-" Nightmare sighed. "Killer, get your damn mask on!"
"I caaaan't!! This stupid thing won't stay on!!" Killer huffed, stomping his foot.
"I keep telling you to use your magic, Killer, then it will stay on!" Horror sighed.
"Can't I just tape itttt??" Killer pouted.
"Do you want to look like a fool?" Nightmare raised an invisible eyebrow.
Killer groaned, "Finneee!" He sighed, his soul glowing for a moment as he used his magic to sort of 'bind' his mask to his face.
"Just be glad you're not Error," Cross sighed as he walked over to the rest of the gang, "He's still trying to mask his bones, and he has to do that for like... most of the party until we decide it's time to cause some chaos."
"Ohhh, that's right.." Killer hummed.
"Illusion magic takes time to learn, so I'm not shocked he might be struggling," Nightmare hummed.
"And you've got it easy, boss!" Killer huffed, "You just have to hold back all your goop."
Nightmare hummed, "Not as easy as it looks, Killer. But I had much more time to learn than the rest of you."
Horror nodded, "Besides, at least the rest of you can actually do that. I can, but it doesn't work on my eye," He sighed. "Had to put in a contact lens for this shit-" He muttered, tapping his foot.
"Don't feel bad, I had to as well," Cross sighed.
"You boys wait here, I'm going to make sure Error is figuring it out," Nightmare sighed, heading out of the entryway and back into the castle to head upstairs to Error's room.
Once Nightmare had made it up to Error's room, he knocked before entering, just to see that Error was in fact, ready, just fixing up his suit so it was more comfortable and straightened out.
"Oh, good, you figured out the magic," Nightmare hummed. "You look good in that suit. I'm glad it fits you."
Error perked up, looking over at Nightmare, "Oh- uh.. thanks... and thank you for letting me use it."
Nightmare shrugged, "It's no problem. I outgrew it anyway, and why throw out a nice suit?" He hummed. "You think you're ready to go?"
Error sighed, "Ready as I'll ever be, I guess-" He muttered, crossing his arms. "I still don't see why I have to come."
"You don't want to prank your 'greatest enemy'?" Nightmare smiled, snickering.
"I mean... yes, I do, but I just hate that it has to be a big ball with half the multiverse." Error sighed, lowering his arms to his sides to put his hands in his pockets.
"You know the Stars, anything to create positivity is something they will do, besides, we have to present the peace treaty somehow," Nightmare hummed, "Now, come on. The sooner we go, the sooner it'll be over."
Error raised a non-existent eyebrow, "Whatever you say..." He muttered, following Nightmare downstairs and to the entryway of the castle, where the others were waiting.
"Ooo~ Error looks so hot~" Killer giggled, "But I miss those pretty black bonnnessss~" He then pouted.
"Oh, shut up, Killer-" Error huffed, "I know I'm hot."
The comment made everyone laugh a little, "At least you know it~" Killer winked.
"Okay, seriously shut up now-" Error glared at him.
"Heh, sorry~"
Nightmare smiled, rolling his eyes, "You can flirt with other guests at the party, Killer, now let's head out. Error, are you able to make a portal?"
Error nodded, "I should be fine to do it," He hummed, swiping his hand and opening a portal.
"Come on, boys," Nightmare looked at the other four.
Cross stepped through first, checking around to make sure it was safe to go. "It's safe, come on."
Dust stepped through next, looking around calmly.
Horror was next, gulping nervously as he stared up at the large, majestic castle in front of them.
Killer hopped through and was quick to make his way towards the white and gold colored castle without much care.
Nightmare hummed, "You know, it's kinda weird seeing him skipping around like that without a knife in hand." He stepped through the portal, following the boys up to the castle.
Error followed after Nightmare, his portal closing after him, "Yeah, no kidding," He chuckled, staying towards the back with Nightmare. "Nervous about seeing your brother?"
Nightmare shrugged, "Only a little, even though we're not really... killing anyone or anything. Guess this truce thing is still just... weird."
Error nodded, "Tell me about it..." He muttered. "No duplicate AUs being created? Hell, barely even having any urges to destroy? It's all so... weird. Weirdly, it makes everything feel.... hm.... empty."
Nightmare nodded, "Finally settling down with a good balance of negativity and positivity has been weird too... I'm no longer super powerful, but I'm also not super weak anymore either... there's an actual balance now. Even in a positive environment, I don't feel too weak," He hummed. "Thank the stars for that, though... the imbalance drove me nuts sometimes." He sighed. "It's more peaceful now, but... it is still a bit odd."
Error nodded, "Agreed.." He hummed.
Nightmare smiled, "But that's another reason why this will be fun~ Not all the AUs know about the truce yet, so a little prank will be fun~"
Error smiled as they walked into the castle, "Even tricking the Stars by pretending we aren't who we seem to be?"
Nightmare chuckled, "They might give it away, you know how they are."
Error chuckled with him, "Yeahhh... good point." He hummed, watching as the other boys went off to either find food, hide, or actually socialize.
Nightmare hummed, "I suppose... I'm going to attempt to stay away from Dream, stars know he'll be over here to greet us in just a- yep, there he is. Have fun with that!" Nightmare quickly turned and found his way into the crowd.
"I- what the-" Error watched him go.
"Hi!"
Error jumped with a small scream, looking back over in front of him, "Oh, stars!!" He sighed, placing a hand over his soul.
The skeleton in front of him was very clearly Dream. "Sorry!" He giggled, "I see your friend walked away..." He pouted, "But that's okay! Welcome to the party! Everyone's been keen on going off to find things to do, but that's fine! I still try to greet everyone."
Error stared at him, hoping that everything would work as planned. He'd hate to give away the prank so soon... "Uh- thanks... yeah, he's.. not one for socializing." He awkwardly coughed.
Dream smiled at him, "That's alright, not everyone is! I have a brother like that," He hummed. "Anywho, enjoy the party! Hope you find something you like!" He then walked away.
Error blinked as he watched Dream walk away, "...Well, that didn't take as long as I was expecting." He hummed. "...Guess... I'll find something to do for now..." He muttered as he looked around for something he could do.
An hour had passed, and more and more people began to enjoy the party. Whether they were sober or drunk, people were, at the very least, having fun and enjoying themselves. Error was just slightly tipsy, only really tipsy enough to be in a better mood despite all of the people around him.... and be dancing! Shockingly, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Little did he know, he had caught someone's eye. Said someone had found their way over, "You've got some good moves... You wouldn't happen to be Dance, would you?" They clearly joked, and obviously now had Error's attention.
Error paused for a split second, just to look at the stranger, but he was quick to notice that this was no stranger. It was Ink! 'Wow, he's obvious. Just like the other two, which is honestly funny. Should have expected this.' Error tried not to giggle at his thought, but he slipped out a chuckle regardless, "I'm not Dance, no. Though I'm sure you'd be interested in knowing who I am."
Ink smiled, "Of course, why wouldn't I want to get to know one of the best dancers on this floor?"
Error laughed, "Good luck, then~ I'm a locked chest and the key was already swallowed long ago."
Ink smiled, "What an interesting choice of words~" He chuckled. "Makes me wonder if I haven't met you yet."
Error glanced at him calmly, "You can wonder all you'd like... You might just find out soon enough."
That caught Ink's interest even further, "Oh, really? Should I start taking guesses?" He calmly smiled.
Error chuckled, "Even if you do, I won't be telling you."
Ink smiled more, "Fair enough~" He giggled playfully.
There was just a short moment of silence between the two, and during that short moment, the song ended... and a new one began (the one above, if you want to, I recommend playing it :D). It seemed to catch both of their attention, especially seeing how many of the other people who were present seemed to dance in groups of two now.
They made eye contact, but Ink was the first to speak, "Want to join me?" He smiled, holding out his hand.
Error perked up, while touch was always something he would avoid, he didn't want to act too suspicious, but it was mostly the alcohol at this point... he grabbed Ink's hand, "It wouldn't hurt too," He slightly smiled.
Ink smiled brighter, pulling Error in closer as they began to dance, laughing and exchanging banter. Just as the 2nd verse started, Error noticed Ink seemed to be in thought.
"You've got something on your mind," Error spoke up. "What is it?"
Ink perked up at the question, and he sheepishly smiled. "Well, to be honest, this song... just reminds me of someone."
Error, being the drama-loving man that he is, was instantly curious. "Oh, really?" He hummed, "Care to tell?"
Ink visibly blushed, laughing awkwardly, "Ummm- I would, but it's complicated- there are factors that go into it, he's not exactly the most liked person, but I've gotten to know him better recently.." He cleared his throat.
Error chuckled, "All I'm hearing are excuses~" He teased.
Ink blushed more, "Okayyy!! Okay- fine." He bit his 'lip' before he spilled, "It reminds me of Error."
Error nearly froze in place, but he managed to remind himself to keep moving, "Oh? How so?"
Ink laughed nervously, "Well- to be honest, he's kind of my enemy... but we've spent some time not fighting recently, so now I've been able to get to know him... and to be honest, I've... kind of grown feelings for him."
Error blushed brightly, but thankfully for him, Ink was too caught up in his confession to notice.
"Wow, that feels good to say it to someone-" Ink laughed slightly, "You don't know who I am anyway, so it's not like he'll ever find out!"
Error was in shock, but somehow managed to give a response, "You've got a point there." He forced out a chuckle, "Don't plan on telling the destroyer that, I'm guessing?"
"Oh, stars, no. I don't think he'd ever feel the same." Ink hummed.
Error blinked, looking at him still.
"Imagine that... the destroyer in love... which probably sounds crazy to anyone else, but to be honest? He's surprisingly in tune with his emotions, plus he has some cool hobbies he does in his spare time, and he even seems to have good relationships with other people that I didn't even know he had before." Ink rambled, "He's surprisingly kind and caring, even though he has a weird way of showing it. I can't forget the fact he isn't actually much of a destroyer, sure he destroys all the extra AUs and timelines, but he does creating of his own! Plus, he's really into soap operas, it's so fun watching how passionate he can be about them!"
Error was completely yellow at this point, totally flustered by the ramblings from Ink.
"Oh, stars, I'm rambling again- oh well, like I said, you don't know how I am!" He smiled.
'Even after all that, he just shrugs it all off!? How does he even do that!?' Error was having an internal gay panic on the other hand, but he managed to ground himself and speak, "I mean... if you're that passionate about him, maybe one day you should tell him."
Ink hummed, "Maybe... Buuuut that's for future me to figure out!"
The two laughed, and while Ink was distracted, Error quickly slipped away. He went back to his gay panic as he searched for Nightmare, thankful to find him on the outskirts of the large ballroom, chatting with another person, though it shocked Error a little to see it wasn't one of their roommates- I mean, coworkers. Regardless, Error quickly went to Nightmare, "Oi!"
Nightmare perked up, looking over at Error, "Oh, there you are. What were you-"
"We need to talk-" Error and Nightmare then glanced at the stranger who was next to Nightmare.
"Oh! I'll be on my way then, I'd hate to bother your conversation~" They spoke quite elegantly.
'Wait a damn minute, they sound familliar-' Error raised an eyebrow.
Nightmare smiled, "I hope to see you soon, I'd hate to leave our conversation off at a cliffhanger."
'That smile is genuine?? Who is this guy?? Why does Nightmare seem to actually like them? What the fuck is happening???' Error was truly dumbfounded.
"I wholeheartedly agree. You can find me on the dance floor when you're ready to continue~" They did a cute little wave before leaving.
Nightmare then turned to Error calmly, "So? What's up?"
Error looked dumbfounded still, but he shook it off. "Uh- right! Ink just uhhh- well-" He blushed again as he thought about it. "...he basically confessed that he loves me-"
Nightmare's jaw dropped in surprise. That obviously wasn't what he was expecting. "..Oh!" He blinked. "Uh- well. That's-....to your face?!"
Error nodded.
"Does he know who you are??"
Error shook his head.
Nightmare blinked, just processing that for a moment. "...I ship it."
Error blushed more, "Nigh-!" He stopped himself and growled a little. "You're dead to me."
Nightmare laughed, "You like him back, don't even lie."
"Fuck you."
"You'd rather Ink fuck you, be so for real-"
"SHUT UP!!" Error hissed, his whole face yellow once again.
Nightmare laughed, "Okay! Okay! Let's just go gather the others. I think now's a great time for the reveal," He calmly smiled. "I expect Horror to be by the buffet table, Dust is probably hiding somewhere, Killer on the dance floor, and Cross... honestly, I couldn't even guess where he might be."
Error sighed, "We'll figure it out- let's just go get them."
Nightmare nodded, "Yes, let's."
The two then separated to go find the other four boys. It took a little while to find them all, but once they were all found, they met up in the hallway up the stairs, where no one else was.
After some chatting, they decided it was time. Time for the big reveal...
They made their way down the stairs, but not all the way down. They stood high enough to be seen by everyone, and Nightmare was the one to speak.
"May I have everyone's attention?" Using some magic to make his voice loud enough, he caught everyone's attention, just as he needed. He smiled, "I just want to welcome everyone to the party... I'd say it's nice to see everyone's faces, but it's hard to see them with the masks."
Everyone laughed, except for a few people... that being the Stars. "Who are they...?" Ink looked at Dream.
"I... don't actually know-" Dream hummed, "Shouldn't we be the ones up there saying that...?"
Blue hummed, "It's not Nightmare and his gang, that's impossible... just look at them."
"This is weird." Ink hummed.
"I'm not one for big speeches, so let's cut to the chase, shall we?" Nightmare smiled with excitement. He reached for his mask, and so his sons- I mean, henchmen, followed after. In one dramatic motion from each of them, their masks were removed, and their disguises disappeared, revealing their identities. "We've crashed your party!" He laughed.
Everyone collectively gasped and some began to panic to escape.
The Stars couldn't help but laugh, well, except Ink. Who stood there in shock and embarrassment, he recognized one of those masks... and now he knew who he told his biggest secret to... he told that secret to the very person the secret was about. ....fuck.
The Bads laughed a bit, but Nightmare was first to stop, "Everyone, remain calm!" He still chuckled a little, "We're not here to hurt anyone!"
Somehow, the crowd seemed to stop its panic. While they were still plenty anxious as they watched the Bads, they at least stopped running around.
Nightmare lifted his hand, summoning a weirdly large piece of paper, "I present to the Multiverse... the official peace treaty."
Dream smiled, quickly making his way up the stairs to stand by his brother, "Thank you, Nightmare!" He gave a bright smile, "That's right, everybody! After careful consideration and lots of sleepless nights talking about terms and the past, we've come to a peace."
Nightmare nodded, "No more killing and terrifying AUs. No more creation, no more destruction, no more killing."
"We can all live in peace now. It may take some getting used to, and we ourselves are still adjusting to it, but I'm sure that within due time, we'll all get to know each other better and we will no longer have to fear war." Dream smiled confidently.
More than a few questions began to arise from the crowd, so one at a time, each question was answered. However, that whole time, Ink was left frozen, just staring at Error as he processed everything... 'Oh stars... I really just confessed to him to his face- I can't believe that I did that!!'