—So... what do you think, huh? Ink...? —Nightmare's voice came out low and alluring, a smug smile spreading across his negativity-covered face.
Ink blinked a few times as Nightmare spoke again, almost forgetting what had been said at first. But even someone as lost in thought as him couldn't completely ignore such a tempting offer.
Nightmare had invited him to join the Bad Sanses and leave the Star Sanses behind. What was the offer? The freedom to interfere with AUs without the moral restrictions Dream was always preaching about. Ink wasn't sure whether to accept. After all, he already did whatever he wanted to a reasonable extent. He didn't need Nightmare... and freedom like that always came with a price. At least, that's what his emotional self would've thought—if he hadn't already lost his emotion vials before Nightmare made one final proposal.
—An artist's talent can never truly flourish without creating. Wouldn't you like to become a god and create every AU you could possibly imagine? To be the one who decides everything? —Nightmare urged, extending a hand toward the painter with barely restrained impatience. —Leave that idiot dreamer, Dream, behind and be yourself with me. Who needs emotions, anyway? They're nothing but a weakness... an obstacle standing between you and the greatness waiting for you.
—Only... if you let me freely modify a few AUs. No deleting them. Deal?
Ink stared at the outstretched hand as though it were the key to hell itself... which, in a way, it was. Yet a selfish part of him—the real him, stripped of his artificial emotions—didn't think it sounded like a bad idea.
In fact... it felt like exactly what he needed.
It's been over a month since Ink completely abandoned the Star Sanses, and everyone was shaken by it. Swap felt hurt and betrayed by the selfish decision of someone he had considered a friend. Dream was simply disappointed, losing every bit of faith in Ink the moment he sided with his greatest enemy.
But you?
You were furious, to say the least. As far as you were concerned, you never wanted to see that apathetic ink skeleton ever again.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans—and today made that painfully clear.
The Bad Sanses had kidnapped you.
Nightmare's followers had tightly restrained your wrists and ankles against the icy wall and floor of a prison cell. Completely vulnerable, you couldn't stop wondering what they planned to do to satisfy their own twisted desires.
After some time, Nightmare finally arrived, wearing the same cruel smirk as always. A mocking chuckle escaped him as he looked over your miserable state.
—So helpless... your kind is always so weak, yet so unbelievably proud. —He practically ridiculed you for being careless enough to get captured. —I'd love to be the one to make you scream in agony... but I think it'll hurt even more if the job is done by someone you know.
With that, Nightmare stepped aside to reveal the one person you wished it wouldn't be.
Your eyes widened the moment you saw Ink standing beside that monster. His pupils were completely white, and one glance at his empty vials was enough to tell this wasn't going to end well.
Ink seemed just as surprised as you were, though his reaction was far more subdued and emotionless. At first, he barely seemed to recognize you. But after taking a closer look, something about you clicked.
—{{user}}?