Chapter Text
(A/N: i live :D )
***
The break was nice. Drinks and food were shared, discussions over the various bombshells of information and smooth jazz was played.
Dream and Nightmare talked about their pasts. Chaos introduced more people to their Mario Party despite already going well past what the game is meant to handle. Ccino decided to anxiously serve more coffee trying to get people more emotionally invested in the continuation of his AU’s existence and was fighting between a customer service smile and breaking down in tears.
Outer decided to help Mutt man camera’s for 10G and was floating around, getting interesting camera angles. Razz went back to interviewing people, focusing on the gang. Killer had even managed to finish playing the video of child Nightmare refusing his vegetables to the live stream far enough away that Nightmare didn’t notice.
Blue decided to split the stream into two VODs so that the first half of the meeting could be sent to AU’s that don’t run on the same timeframe as soon as possible for AUs to be informed to Reset. He would send the second half after they were done with the meeting. The AUs faster than them would just need to deal with the suspense for a few months. Which he felt bad about, but at least they would have something to go off of.
At some point, Void got a really serious look before turning off the viewing screen. It was probably fine. He would tell Fresh if it was important … probably. Oh well! Fresh returned his focus to his Fun Dip.
When they finished the break, there weren’t any volunteers to add anymore stories or statements. Everyone was nervous and impatient to get through this.
“ALRIGHT.” Blue said, taking a breath and regaining the room's attention. “ALL IN FAVOR TO GO AHEAD WITH PLANNING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE TRUCE?”
The screen behind them, that had been used for Razz’s video, was now set up to see the live count and the tablets that had been handed out gave the options to vote on.
CONTINUE or DO NOT.
For the next minute the vote would jump left and right, and while it was close for a few seconds it thankfully landed on CONTINUE, meaning they could go forward with the truce.
During the entire time, Fresh had been struggling to remove a finger trap from his hands - several in fact. Which was entirely his own fault and should have seen coming, yet did anyway. At least he got his vote in.
Blue was quick to mention the document regarding truce terms and conditions, proudly bringing up the work in progress of over 500 Star Council members on the screen - proud for 5 seconds that is. It was about as neat and comprehensible as Fresh’s code, which was impressive in its own way.
From somewhere in the room you could hear an, “... oh boy~”
“Suddenly, our notes no longer feel so disorganized.” Nightmare said smugly, straightening his pile of papers and sticky notes - even a napkin was even spotted with writing on it.
“told you it’d be fine.” Dust said, leaning back in his chair.
“THIS … THIS MAY TAKE A WHILE.” Blue said, horrified and determined.
“Welp broski-bro’s.” Fresh said amused, cracking his knuckles, causing some of the council to recoil. “Let’s get crackin’ yo!”
Long story short, it took hours, plenty of yelling, some tears and at least one attempted stabbing. But they finally managed something resembling a coherent truce agreement using what they had, but scrapping most of it. They were well and truly exhausted and might have let some things slip in just so that it would end sooner.
Some truce conditions include:
Requiring Fresh to properly dress his age to denote his status as a minor, i.e. in stripes. (Lust, and several others, snuck it in)
Transparency and communication regarding the Balance Holders Roles; including the less desirable aspects such as requirements for AU destruction and spreading of Negativity. In exclusion to their role activities, crimes are punishable according to the laws of the AU it was committed in, by that AU. This includes theft, loitering, and littering.
Implementation of bi-anual meetings between Nightmare’s Gang, The Star Council and The Omega Timeline representatives regarding multiversal affairs. Creation of Multiversal Help Line in the Omega Timeline to better help and coordinate AU’s under threat with both Nightmares Gang and the Star Council as needed.
Registering Nightmares Gang as a fraternity called Fellowship of Nightmares under the letters zeta zeta zeta (ZZZ). (Chaos snuck it in)
Error, Nightmare and the gang are mandated therapy for six months. As are Ink, Dream and Blue.
AU’s marked for destruction are to be given a notice where possible in order to evacuate to the Omega Timeline.
Weaponized use of possessed furbies on innocent and/or salvageable AU’s and their residents for destruction is prohibited. (Core was adamant)
Immediate release of any and all of Nightmare’s captives to their original AUs. Including the escaped Alphys and Undyne in the wilderness that Horror has been feeding.
… Honestly, it was a mix of needs and wants that went on far longer than Fresh thought was necessary. But they were fair enough. However …
“Who be adding this on the sly, yo?” Fresh deadpanned in suspension, pointing to the clause regarding his clothing choice.
Lust coughed. “even if you were created as an adult by deity magic-” insert vague hand wave, “- mumbo jumbo , you are still a child and need to learn common sense … no offense.”
“Offense taken and catalogued, broski.” Fresh turned Lust, adjusting his shades and kept up the deadpan expression that didn't turn into a pout.
“I a-a-a-agree with Lust.” Error admitted.
GA-SP said Fresh's sunglasses in response.
“Gasp!” said Fresh, also in response. “Et tu, Windows Vista?” Fresh placed a betrayed hand to his sternum.
“Deity funkery can only go so f-f-f-far with in-made knowledge.” He merely raised a brow bone. “Ink used to eat his art s-s-s-supplies.”
“Error used to eat the silverware!” Ink tattled in retaliation.
“He still does,” Nightmare mentioned.
“He still does,” Dream said at the same time.
Ink gasped at Dream, “Traitor!”
Error crossed his arms with a grumble. “If Classic can have his k-k-k-ketchup I can have my utensils.”
“... that's so not the same.” Classic shook his head, amused and bewildered. “ketchup is at least a smoothie.”
“IT IS NOT! ” Razz countered, appalled.
Classic and Razz began to argue back and forth their logics regarding the very important issue. Classic pointing out tomatoes being a fruit, Razz pointing out it's the vinegar that changes it from smoothie to sauce category.
Fresh gave both Ink and Error judgmental looks before shrugging. Fresh hadn’t even considered eating non-food items. Maybe he would need to reconsider if his fellow deity forged sibling found it appealing. Maybe glitter glue …?
“REGARDLESS, I SAY THE CLAUSE STAYS.” Blue interrupted the descent, having taken over gavel duty from Ink who had forgotten about it. “ALL IN FAVOR?”
Aside from Fresh, they all agreed. Fresh was still not pouting. Not at all.
The motion passed. Fresh now legally needed to wear kids clothes or the truce between the Star Sans and Nightmares Gang could be considered broken.
Fresh face planted into the table. Ugh. The price for multiversal peace.
When all was said and done that needed said and done, all the figures of authority in the room formed a line to place their signature and role to officiate the Truce. Viewers from across the multiverse held their breath as one by one the names were filled in.
Chaos did not join the line on principle. They had already suffered through one line for this and bringing order to the multiverse so directly was not their style, nor their role.
Fresh took a step back with a blooming sense of pride after penning his own contribution. Finally. The meeting felt like it had gone on for months .
He looked to the room, to the cameras, to the multiverse and spoke.
“I hear-by up and declare this radical Truce to be in effect as of immediately!” he raised a glass of rootbeer in a toast, “May the after party commence, yo!”
The cheers were music to his non-ears.
Dream hugged Nightmare and Nightmare tolerated it. Blue cheered while shouting “SHOTS SHOTS SHOTS!” getting strange looks causing Stretch to bolt from his previously lodged position to cover Blues mouth and declare, “no shots! not on tv! not after last time!”
“THEN TURN OFF THE STREAM!” Blue said, starting to do just that
“woo! party at Nightmare’s castle!” Killer called, opening a portal with yet another of his phones for any to enter. He ran right through to get the karaoke machine set up.
“Wait-” Nightmare protested, “Killer no , I did not authorize- this is a security breach-”
But he was already being dragged through by an excited Dream, and nearly boldozed by the rest of the gang hollering and pushing their way into the portal.
Red and Lust exchanged looks before shrugging and following. Next was Ink, then Chaos, a sighing Error took his own portal, an excited Blue who just finished sending out the second half of the meeting truce VOD, and surprisingly even Razz followed, handing off the microphone he’d been using for interviews. Classic seemed to look to the ceiling before deciding to join as well. Sci managed to convince Ccino to join, not at all hoping for some coffee.
About a quarter of the Council decided to join, out of curiosity or getting caught in the spirit of celebration, who could say. Which is still a lot of people.
The gods of Reapertale needed to get back to their roles and so couldn’t join.
Fresh smiled and made sure to grab the truce’s physical document for safe keeping, casually following after with a lazy smile.
Upon making his way into Nightmare’s castle's Throne room which would be majestic under normal circumstances, but was becoming more tackily decorated as the seconds passed, Fresh looked for the man of the house.
Ah there he was. Looking on in despair as their secret hideout became compromised. The only consolation was that only those permitted to portal in and out could, thus they wouldn’t need to worry about future surprises. Doesn’t change the fact they could now figure out where in the multiverse they were.
Dream appeared to be following Horror to the kitchen. The word ‘cupcakes’ could be heard traded between them.
“Noot noot!” Fresh called, gaining an unhappy Nightmare’s attention and waving the document. “Want a copy, broseph?”
Even from across the room Fresh could see the slump of the shoulder and small nod. He melded into the shadows to appear next to Fresh.
“... Follow me to my office.” He turned back to yell at his idiots- erm - order his subordinates. “Cross you’re in charge! No theft, no property damage, no vandalism!”
Killer immediately started booing.
Startled from drinking chocolate milk from a straw doubling as glasses, Cross stood and gave a military salute. He did not, however, let go of his chocolate milk.
“you can count on me!”
“... my poor castle.”
As Nightmare Nightmare began to turn, Lust called out, “wait!” running across the room to catch up with the two. For some reason Chaos was following behind whistling innocently.
Lust held up a finger before they could question him and gave his own, “Nightmare, you wouldn’t happen to have a spare one of those forms around would you?”
???-???
“A spare of what form?” Nightmare asked.
Instead of answering, Lust turned his gaze to Fresh then back to Nightmare and raised a browbone.
“you know.” Lust said mysteriously.
Nightmare looked confused between Lust and Chaos before something clicked, causing Nightmare to sigh heavily. “... In my office.”
Without another word Nightmare led to his office. Leaving Fresh baffled.
What form???
Inside they found Error tucked into a roof corner via blue hammock. He checked who they were before going back to knitting. Beside him was a one way viewing portal to the party. “I’ve got security c-c-c-covered.”
Nightmare relaxed a little. “Thank you, Error.”
Chaos decided to sit next to Error. Not touching, just watching the party beyond the portal.
Nightmare went around his desk shifting a tendril into a key shape to unlock a drawer, opening it and shooting Chaos - who had followed - a suspicious look. They examined their nails. Nightmare then turned his gaze to Error.
“My teeth are s-s-s-sealed.” Error said, not even looking in their direction. Though he did look surprised.
Nightmare then looked at Fresh.
“What, yo??” Fresh still not knowing what this was about but feeling nervous.
The appraisal lasted a few seconds before he nodded and Nightmare pulled out a single paper before closing and locking the drawer, handing the page to Lust.
Lust looked at the page with a serious expression before turning to look at Fresh.
What was with all these meaningful looks? What was this about? Fresh didn’t like not knowing despite being right in the middle of it.
“Fresh.” Lust said, holding out the paper allowing Fresh to see the contents. He gave a small hesitant smile, “would you like to be adopted?”
In Lust's hands were adoption papers.
Fresh dropped the truce document in shock.
“I … guess???” Fresh agreed.
If Void had a problem with it, well, that would be Void's problem wouldn’t it? Fresh didn’t expect to be signing two of the most important documents of his life in one day, but here he was.
Lust practically squeed.
Nightmare handed them a pen.
“Nightmare … broski …” Fresh couldn’t help ask, setting down the truce document. “ Why d’ya have adoption papers in your gnarly desk?”
Chaos laughed, then coughed to cover it up.
Nightmare gave a pause. “... inside joke between me and the gang. Don’t worry about it.”
A likely story. Fresh made note to ask Killer later.
***