Chapter Text
All the skeletons stood next to the door of a giant castle. It had an eery but calm feeling to it. Not quite like Nightmare's castle but at the same time it felt similar. Papyrus went to knock on the door while Blue carried you in his arms. He tried pumping magic into your soul but you wouldn't react. Your soul stayed immobile while it slowly dulled in color. Time was of the essence but when a tentacle reached through the door and fully opened it they were all startled. Expect Ink who had the smuggest look on his skull.
"Yo Mizzarī!! I got a package you willing to take it?"
"I do not have time for your crude remarks Ink. I know exactly why you are here for. Bring the girl with you and follow me."
Dream and that skeleton shared a look for only a second before Mizzarī turned away. The ressemblance with their version of Nightmare were striking. Except this skeleton wasn't covered in his corruption. The purple eyelights that eyed them felt calculated. He wore a black turtleneck with a purple vest with gold trim on top. His pants seemed to be of a military style although they were white and he wore black combat boots. Around his neck hung a pendant made of gold and shaped like a sun. He wore his crown like Nightmare would have. Dream couldn't stop associating him with his own brother. This skeleton looked much calmer and far less hostile than the one they knew. It didn't make much sense on why they would help them. Dream felt like he had to be friends with this alternate version of his brother.
Like if Ink had sensed that thought he stopped Dream while the others moved forward.
"Don't talk to him."
"Why, we can help him. He looks pained."
Ink seemed to think of something before looking back at Dream.
"Unless you want all of us to die or be captured. Don't interact with him."
Dream felt the sincerity behind Ink's words which was so rare he had no choice but to believe him. They both joined back with the others and saw Stretch looking at his brother and the alternate Nightmare. Blue was currently yelling at Mizzarī and refusing to let go of you.
"If you would prefer her alive I do need to have her on the table."
"YOU'LL HURT HER! I CAN'T TRUST YOU!"
Papyrus went to touch Blue's shoulder but the short skeleton backed away and retreated to a corner of the room. You could hear the snap of Stretch lollipop. The younger brother realizing how serious his brother was.
"bro you need to let him see her. she's going to die if she doesn't get help and as much as i'd prefer that scenario. i know that's not what you want."
They heard a chuckle coming from Mizzarī.
"He is right you know. I am a doctor and I am sworn to help my patients. I will not hurt your little human. Although I do have questions about her injury."
They all saw a book float towards him but there wasn't any light or magic surrounding it.
"Thank you." Said Mizzarī to the air.
They all looked perplexed but couldn't make out why. In a singular motion he made a magic barrier around your wound to keep you from dying. Mizzarī continued his search through the book until he exclaimed himself.
"Magic poisoning. Obviously now only to determine what kind of poison it was."
Stretch who had moved around the room to the bookshelves saw a few books getting stacked on air before they. reach the table where Mizzarī was. The skeleton opened two books and proceeded to read them at the same time? Or that's what it looked liked to them. While Mizzarī was turning a few page your body jolted up.
You grabbed at your chest and felt a string close to snapping. You pulled on it and it sent reassuring waves towards you. You also felt a second thinner energy pulse worry into you. When you looked around you saw none other than Blue looking at you with worry in his eyes. His sockets full of tears as he ran towards you.
"MAIDEN YOU AREN'T DEAD!"
"I'm dying Blue. Not dead but definitely dying."
"If the waterworks are done you wouldn't mind helping me with your condition. Tell me what it feels like on your soul."
You concentrated and felt the feelings you had before. This time Blue's felt lighter like it had gotten thinner than previously and so did Sans. It was like the strings were slowly being cut one by one. So you voiced that thought to the skeleton. He seemed pensive before some page were flipped in the book he wasn't looking at. He turned around and listened like someone was talking to him. He picked up the book and that when he made his thoughts known.
"Lunari Pabium. Also known as lost moonshade. A plant used to break soulmate bonds. I've never heard of it being used this way but there is a first to everything."
Tentacles sprouted from his back and different vials and pot came with them. He grabbed more and more until the table was mostly full.
"You are lucky I was your doctor. Anyone else would have probably botched this. It is quite delicate after all."
You nodded unsure on who and where exactly you were. When you looked around you realized what this place looked like.
"Are you Nightmare?"
He turned around to face you and that's when you saw it. His looks were so different from the Nightmare you had met.
"Not my Nightmare."
"No, not "your" Nightmare."
He chuckled and continued his preparation. Blue and Papyrus came to your side at the request of Mizzarī as you had learned he was called. They had to keep his barrier in place while he continued brewing the medecine.
"Thank you for helping me. Both of you."
They both nodded but Blue was the first one to speak.
"I FELT A PIECE OF ME LEAVE WHEN YOU FELL MAIDEN. OF COURSE I'D BE HERE FOR YOU!"
You thanked him and you saw Papyrus fiddle with his gloves. You rested a hand on his shoulder while you talked.
"I'm sorry I couldn't do anything. It's my fault he was kidnapped."
Both yelled no at the same time. You were quite startled but Papyrus spoke up.
"IF IT WASN'T FOR YOU MY BROTHER WOULD BE DUST INSTEAD OF HIM GETTING KIDNAPPED. I OWE YOU HIS LIFE. ALSO I AM QUITE CONFIDENT WE WILL FIND HIM."
"Thanks Papyrus and you too Sans."
You heard a glass bottle shatter. The remnant of the bottle scattered on the floor and the table. You felt a shiver rundown your spine and tried to get away from Mizzarī. The aura he exuded was even worst then that of any creature you had met. A tentacle shot up towards Stretch and grabbed him by his middle. The skeleton helped as he was dragged by the goop.
"In my castle, naughty children stay outside to play."
He threw him out of the room and locked the door behind him. The tension left the room and Dream had already cleaned the glass. He went back to a corner of the room and stayed there. When your eyes met Mizzarī you saw him wipe away some dust from his outfit before he went back to the mortar. He looked up for a second before gesturing to you.
"I recommend you only use our designated nicknames. It should help with the lack of control some of these alternates have."
You nodded but Papyrus spoke for you.
"I DO NOT HAVE ONE OF THOSE NICKNAMES THE ALTERNATE MES AND BROTHERS HAVE."
The pestle continued to churn while Mizzarī got in front of your little trio.
"You are from the Deltaverse, correct?"
Papyrus nodded along.
"And your brother is called Delta, subsequently."
Papyrus nodded once more.
"Than I suggest you pick a name that reflects that. Like a vowel of the same alphabet. Something simple and elegant would be preferable."
He gestured to the library and the pestle stopped churning long enough for a book to drop onto your lap. You opened it and found an interesting assortment of journals and Greek literature inside. You all looked inside and started throwing names.
"WHAT ABOUT GAMMA OR EPSILON SINCE THEY ARE CLOSEST TO DELTA."
Papyrus shook his skull. He wanted something more personal not necessarily related to his brother. None stroke a cord with him. You looked at thought on Papyrus and who he was. He was strong and impressive. Was there a letter that looked like him? You looked through it all multiple times until you realize that the shape could look like figures. That's when one of them caught your attention.
"What about Psi?"
Both looked to you eager for your reasoning.
"Psi looks like it's someone flexing their arms, it reminds me of Papyrus."
The skeleton's bones rattled with excitement. Papyrus now dubbed Psi was waving frantically to get the attention of Ink and Dream who were chatting in a corner of the room. Once the skeleton understood that Papyrus was talking to them they turned to him. Papyrus happily sharing the good news.
Everyone just fell into idle silence and waited. The magic barrier keeping you alive and your companions staying by your sides. Your eyes started to feel heavy and you leaned into Blue. You missed how his lights turned to hearts and how the others felt. Relief, everyone was relieved you would make it. Sleep claimed you while the doctor worked his magic.
You woke up what felt like days later. Your body felt sore but you could move rather easily. When you lifted your top you saw bandage that were covered in green herbs. This didn't feel okay so you quickly try to undo them. Only for a hand to swat it. When you looked there was no one. You couldn't see them but the sting from their slap was definitely real. A minute later while you sat dazed by what had happened Mizzarī entered the room.
"Finally awake I see. Please do not try again to take the bandages off. It would be quite inconvenient if the plants properties haven't properly seeped through your flesh."
He had you sit properly while he examined you. You felt under scrutiny but were pleased when it stopped. He went and wrote something on a notepad by your bed. You couldn't help but relate this to any normal hospital stay. He looked back at you and sighed.
"You are healthy. I can take off the wrappings and you'll be given monster candy to fix whatever is left from the wound."
You could have just healed it yourself but you weren't about to refuse a way as to not drain your magic. You saw him twitch while he removed your bandages. A purple glow filled the room and you saw Mizzarī inch away from you. Your soul was trying to spring free from your chest apparently.
"Reign it in yourself. I would much prefer not to be linked to anyone."
You pushed your soul back inside of yourself and the purple glow stopped. You blushed slightly at how your soul had been just a moment ago. When you tried to apologize Mizzarī denied any wrong doing saying it was because of the healing done on your soul that it was now searching to create links with others. You'd just need to make sure others don't fall for you. You told him that would be easy as most despise you. He laughed.
"Not as many as you think."
The bandage came off and only a small scar in the shape of a crescent was left. you were rather thankful for it being this small. You stopped in your tracks and asked why he helped you.
"I owed Ink a favor."
That certainly felt odd but you wouldn't question it. He gave you a black turtleneck similar to the one he wore. Once dressed the both of you exited the space. You realized it was a door that locked itself once you went through it. Both of you walked until you reached the parlor. A few skeletons were sitting on the couches and you saw the sockets a few visibly light up once they saw you.
"MAIDEN!" "HUMAN!"
The other followed behind those two who went to hug you. The closer they were to you the more you felt a surge of emotions. Your bond was latching onto Blue and making you feel all he felt. All the relief and happiness from seeing you safe and sound. He hugged you and nuzzled into your embrace.
"THAT'S ABSURD! I ALSO WANT TO GIVE THE HUMAN MY AMAZING CUDDLES!"
You calmed your soul and saw how Blue eyed you and the little thing inside. It felt incredible to have someone be so happy to see you but at the same time you know it's because Blue latched on to Delta's bond. Having to skeleton hooked to you would probably be good for your recovery in the long run wouldn't it. Your attention finally focused back in the others. Stretch was besides Psi trying to understand. Once Mizzarī told them you saw his socket flair up. Blue placed himself in front of you sensing your fear while Psi blushed a deep orange.
"You will probably need this."
Nonchalantly Mizzarī reached over and grabbed a book from the highest shelf. All eyes locked onto it and the skeletons gained an array of different colors to their cheeks. Expect Ink who once again looked dulled by it all. Once the book was in your hand you read the cover.
"The human manual to having monster soulmates?"
He nodded and you finally understood why everyone had started blushing.
"I do not need this!"
He motioned that you would and clapped his hands.
"If you excuse me. I have other matters to attend to and you would be good to go somewhere else to finish your recovery. On that note, may we never see each other again."
He waved goodbye as you all jumped through the portal he had opened. Blue holding your hand while Stretch glared at you from behind. Psi pouting from the lack of physical contact but dealing with it better than Stretch. At the back Ink and Dream followed quietly. Dream giving one last look at his brothers counterpart. The other giving him a soft pitiful smile before the portal closed behind him.
Recovery wouldn't be easy.