/perspective shift Dream
(A/N: Dream, not the other Dream)
Dream walked along with Wilbur and Tommy as they went to confront the other Dream. They were a solemn party. Not even Tommy was out of touch enough to attempt levity at a time like this. They had no hope for winning anymore. This was a negotiation for the terms of surrender, and they all knew it. Including the other Dream.
The group met the other Dream on the path. He was different. He stood tall, imposing, even more so than before. But the biggest difference was his aura. It was now entirely shot through with the Nightmare. The dark reddish black color permeated his entire aura, obscuring his emotions to Dream's eyes.
And he knew that this creature was no longer any sort of Dream. No, this was Nightmare. Fully.
(A/N: From now on, the other Dream is just going to be called Nightmare, because that's less confusing.)
Tommy and Wilbur looked at each other. They were uneasy.
"Welcome, friends," Nightmare said, his mask hiding the malicious smile Dream was sure he was wearing. Tommy and Wilbur shivered at the voice, and Dream gritted his teeth.
"Friends?" Tommy demanded, outraged by the simple friendly greeting after what he had just done. "Friends? You destroy our nation, the very land we live on, and you call us friends? No! We are not your friends, Dream! We are not allies! We are enemies!! And you know what? I like it that way! I would rather be your enemy than your friend! Who would want to side with a stupid, weak dictator like you? All your power is in your armor and weapons! Fight us fairly, and you wouldn't stand a chance! You're useless by yourself! You're only strong because other people obey you!"
"Tommy, we have to-" Wilbur started, stepping in front of him, but Tommy shouted over him.
"No!" Tommy said, pushing past him. "No, I won't be quiet! I'm done being quiet! I tried your way, Wilbur! Well, guess what? It didn't work! Fight me, Dream! One on one! No armor, no swords, no allies, no nothing! A bow duel for L'Manburg! You want our land so bad, then earn it!"
Tommy paused to take a deep breath, and Nightmare laughed. Tommy scowled, and was about to speak, but then Nightmare spoke.
"You're challenging me, TommyInnit?"
His voice was filled with derision and scorn, implying that Tommy wasn't a match for him. And all that did was make Tommy angrier, and set him off on another rant. Or it would have, if Nightmare hadn't interrupted.
"Very well, I accept," Nightmare said. Tommy stopped, frozen. He hadn't expected that.
The next few minutes whirled by as the two sides got together and argued over rules. Nightmare's allies pushed for a full health duel, but in the end it was decided that they would fight on half a heart. One shot from death.
The terms were set. If Tommy won, L'Manburg was free. If Dream won, then it was over. L'Manburg, or as Nightmare called it, L'Manchildburg, was done, their land would return to the possession of the Greater Dream SMP, and on top of that, Tommy would have to give up Mellohi, one of his discs.
Dream watched as the two combatants lined up on half a heart. As Wilbur counted down with a smile on his face, they paced away from each other.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten.
Tommy spun around and fired his bow, his shot flying wide left of Nightmare. He yelled, diving to the side as Nightmare's arrow swept past him.
Tommy's second shot buried itself in the ground at Nightmare's feet.He tried to dodge.
But it was too late. Dream saw the arrow. Tommy saw the arrow. Nightmare saw the arrow. There was no way Tommy could avoid this one. It soared straight for his heart. Dream reached out and pushed.
And for the first time since he had entered this world, he did something tangible.