y/n pov

My breathing was ragged and uneven by the time I couldn't feel DreamXD's eyes on me anymore.

If he even had eyes behind that mask.

I couldn't tell if he was human.

I forced my feet to stop moving, pausing on the wooden slats of the Prime Path. Upon hurrying off the roof, I had bolted out of the house and nation, running in no specific direction.

The instinct to get away from DreamXD was so strong that I didn't even care where I ran, just that it was far away from him.

Now, I looked up, seeing that I was on the part of the path that floated in the air, leading to Bad and Skppy's mansion. The quartz blocks illuminated brightly in the milky moonlight, slightly glowing.

Long red vines crossed and dipped into some of the lakes out front, wrapping around the lantern poles where a fire burned on top. They were the same vines that I had pictured in my mind when the Egg was speaking.

The hairs on the back of my neck rose at the sight of them.

They sprouted out of the ground like they were blooming from something below the green grass. Around where they came, the grass had died and lost all of its earthy colors.

Shadows loomed over them, making the sight even more unsettling.

Behind the house, the dark sky turned even darker with the blackstone bricks of the prison. Lava poured down the walls, encased in iron bars.

Sam had finished the prison.

A part of me instinctively brought me towards the prison, to where I expected to find Sam. But, I had never realized before this moment, I had no idea where Sam actually lived.

So instead, I was brought to the prison.

Memories of the last time I was there lingered and swarmed around the area like a thick fog. It sent chills racing along my arms despite my sweatshirt.

Crack!

My head whipped around towards the noise of a twig snapping. It had sounded like it was right behind me, just below the bridge in the forest.

And I swore I saw a flash of purple eyes on a very tall figure watching me from the treeline, but when I blinked, there was nothing there.

"Y/n?"

I spun back around, my sword being pulled from its sheath. Slight dizziness followed from turning so fast, but I blinked several times to clear it, seeing the person that had called me.

Bad, dressed in his usual black and red cape, watched me curiously. His black horns shot from his equally dark hair, void of any light. The bright whites of his eyes and open mouth were contrasted greatly against his unnatural skin and small fangs.

I relaxed at the sight of him, sheathing my sword. "Oh, hey, Bad. You startled me."

He smiled innocently, radiating sincerity and kindness. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. I just saw you out here looking tired and thought I would offer some water."

Water sloshed in small drops as he held out a plastic cup, waiting for me to take it. Droplets fell to the hem of his cape, drawing my eyes.

I tried to hide my alarm at what I saw, quickly looking up and taking the water.

Where red should have outlined his cape, white had replaced it, like it had stained with bleach and leeched all of the colors.

Something about the sight made me wary of Bad.

I downed the water, handing the cup back to him once it was all gone. Aches and rawness soothed in my throat from the much-needed water.

"Thank you," I said, trying to keep my voice even. My magic urged me to get away from him now. "I think I need to go-"

"Wait! I just baked some muffins, you need to come to have some," Bad said, gently grasping my arm.

Despite the happy and wonderful memories I had made with Bad as I lived in the Dream lands, my magic still shot warnings through my system, trying to pull me away. Something evil was lingering.

"Bad, I don't know-"

We began walking slowly towards the mansion, Bad carefully stepping over the red vines like they were newly bloomed flowers.

"Don't be silly, you muffin. I've been promising to make you a batch for about a year now, and I've finally gotten around to doing it." He laughed brightly.

It was true, I had been waiting to have some of Bad's famous muffins for a while now. Skeppy had always told me how good his best friend's muffins were but never offered to share.

The memory of Skeppy protectively holding a chocolate muffin to his chest made me smile. We had chased each other around the house, trying to claim the last muffin.

He had won, running into a room and locking himself in there to devour the muffin. All that was left when I got in was a wrapper and crumbs.

"Alright, but I can't stay too long."

My magic's warnings set me on edge, and I listened to it, keeping an observant eye on Bad. But what could be so wrong with Bad that it was trying to make me run away?

He led me through their sparse house, into the kitchen where the overwhelming scent of baked goods flooded my nose. It made me melt, my mouth beginning to water.

As Bad got me a muffin from the hot pan, I looked around the house. There was a strange feeling wrapped in the walls like I was being watched once again.

"Here you go," Bad said, pushing a steaming chocolate muffin in my direction. "Woah, don't eat too fast, you muffin."

In seconds I had eaten the whole muffin, my mouth exploding with the richness of chocolate and hot temperature of the fluffy cake. It was perfect.

I wiped the crumbs from my mouth, sheepishly looking up at him. "Sorry, I've always had a soft spot for baked goods."

Bad just laughed, his glowing eyes squinting with joy. Some of the panic and nerves eased out of me at the sight of his wholesomeness.

I could see why Skeppy had always loved Bad so much. The two were clearly meant for each other, just like the Sapnap, Karl, and Quackity were.

"Bad, where is Skeppy?" I asked, noticing the dark-haired boy's absence.

Without him, the house was quiet. Usually, he was there to crack jokes and compliment Bad, earning a dark blush from the horned man.

The panic immediately returned with the subtle change in Bad's emotions.

It was slight, but his eyes hardened a bit and his smile became a tiny bit more crazed. It was as if something else had taken control.

Wait.

That's when I remembered and realized why my magic was so freaked out.

Rumors had been spread that Bad was a sole caretaker of the Egg, even going to lengths to call it pretty. He was being possessed by the Egg.

A loud screech emitted as I stood, pushing my chair out behind me. Every one of my muscles was taut with anxiety.

"I think I need to go-"

"Here, I can show you where Skeppy is."

"No, it's alright. I ought to be heading home."

"C'mon, it won't take long," Bad urged, grasping my elbow with his slightly sharpened fingers.

The grip he had on my arm was tight, unlike his usual calm and harmless one. Tips of his black fingers dug into my skin, making me follow him across the house and down the stairs.

Every warning and urgent call pushed into my head by my magic, practically dragging my legs in protest. I wanted to listen, to run away, but Bad held me tight to his side.

"Bad-" I started, but stopped.

As we stepped off the last step into the basement, my magic went silent.

It just ... disappeared.

Even my sword seemed to stop humming at my side, dying under my hand on its grip. I looked down at it, seeing that it lost its slight permanent glow.

When I looked up though, I had stepped into a whole other world.

Stone walls were barely visible behind the red vines, grass, and magma blocks. Lava bubbled and popped in small ponds in the ground, heating the basement.

It was as if the voice in my head had taken shape in Bad and Skeppy's basement.

A buzz began in my ears, driving strong and irritating ripples through my head.

Bad practically dragged me across the unnaturally crimson grass, making me step over the magma blocks and strange spiky shrubs. The hum only grew as we walked.

I placed a hand to my temple, my eyes squinting from the noise in pain. Every fiber of my being ticked with hurt from this place.

"This is where Skeppy is," Bad said, his voice no longer warm and fluffy. It had a cold and eerie hint to it.

In front of me sat a massive egg. It was as red as blood, even darker, and smoother than the quartz of the building above. There was a noticeable glow coming from inside.

The Egg.

I didn't need to be told, everything in me screamed that this was the voice in my head, trying to get me to join its growing empire.

Bad brought me close enough to it, despite my knees almost giving out with fear and pain from my head.

I needed to get out of here. Even if it meant fighting my way out.

Bad placed a hand lightly on the Egg, his face instantly relaxing. White raced down the red bits of his cape, overtaking the first color with ease.

His sharp spade tail brushed my leg, making me jump and accidentally touch the monstrosity in front of me.

You are the one.

I gasped, pressing my hand harder against my temple as pain erupted with the flurry of words. My other hand that had touched it drew back.

The navy leaped from my hoodie, red replacing it. It bloomed like a paint splatter from where I had touched the Egg, stopping once I removed my clothing from its reach.

"Can you hear it?" Bad asked, giddiness apparent in his voice. "Is the Egg speaking to you?"

I ignored him, looking up at the Egg frantically. The words here were much louder and controlling now that I was next to it.

Something shifted next to me, making me spin on my heel.

I felt the blood drain from my face when my eyes fell on the person.

It was clearly Skeppy with his dark hair and tan skin, but everything else about his appearance was ... wrong.

His vibrant diamond blue eyes had been turned the same red color as the Egg, distant and dead. Crimson streaks crawled on his skin like the vines at my feet.

The usual teal hoodie was turned maroon as if he had on a whole new piece of clothing. Dark smudges were under his eyes, either from the lack of sleep or something worse.

"Skeppy, what happened to you?" I asked, instinctively reaching out to him.

He stepped away from me, unlike when he would usually press into my comforting hand with a hug.

Something was very wrong.

"Are you feeling alright?" I tried coaxing him back towards me but he stayed in place.

"I feel amazing," He responded in a flat, monotone voice. There was no emotion anywhere in his tone. "I've never felt better."

"Why are you red?" My voice pitched with worry and the buzz increased in my head.

Everything was becoming harder to see like the Egg was sinking its claws into my very soul.

"I spent my time with the Egg."

I turned on Bad, an accusing look in my eye. "Bad, what did you do to him?"

Bad opened his mouth to respond, concern flashing there for a moment. But it disappeared as if the worry for his friend was being corrupted by the presence nearby.

Instead, a seriousness returned, his fangs sharpening a bit more. There was an evil glint sparkling in his eyes.

"Y/n, he was just doing what we all should be doing with the Egg. It can save you, bring peace to your mind." He spoke as if he were chanting.

I backed up a step, but his tail wrapped around my arm. He brought me so close to himself that I completely forgot about Skeppy and focused on trying to get away.

"Bad, let me go. I don't want to join this stupid Eggpire thing."

My words sparked something in him, anger surfacing. Bad rarely got mad, but when he did...

In front of my eyes, Bad grew feet upon feet, towering over my small form. His horns lengthened and his fangs grew to a razor-sharp point.

"Don't talk about the Egg like that!" He practically shouted, glaring down at me. "The Egg and the Blood Vines will help fix the future of these lands!"

I tugged against his enlarged tail, trying to break free. It squeezed tighter, almost cutting off my circulation.

"You're hurting me!" I yelled, pressing my free hand harder against my head.

The constant humming was at a loud pitch, trying to infest my mind with the words of the Egg. It shot daggers through my head like steel.

"The Egg can help ease that pain," Bad said with fake sweetness.

This wasn't Bad. This was a demon, possessed by the Egg.

Just when I thought I would be torn apart by the sound in my head and brought close enough to touch the Egg again, there were quick footsteps behind me.

Bad stopped tugging on me, shrinking back down to normal size. I turned to see who hopefully would be my savior.

Sam stood holding his trident, staring Bad down, with Ranboo on his other side, his chest heaving from running.

Icy anger was pouring out of Sam from behind his creeper mask. It was shot at the person holding me, tearing him to bits.

"Oh, hello, Sam and Ranboo," Bad greeted, almost cheerfully. "I was just showing y/n the Egg."

"Bad, step away from y/n," Sam said in a furious tone. "I am taking her with me. She is under my protection."

Relief swooped through me, but I couldn't focus too much on it thanks to the awful migraine.

Bad just sighed, not releasing me. "Sam, she was meant to meet the Egg all along-"

I got an idea, quickly relaxing my face and placing my hand on his tail.

"Bad, I think the Egg is speaking to me."

Sam and Ranboo looked at me in concern, but Bad smiled down at me like a little kid about to get candy. His tail lessened its hold on me a bit.

"What is it saying?"

I scrunched my brows in fake concentration. "It's saying... it's saying that..."

He waited patiently, completely forgetting about his grasp on my arm. His tail fell away, freeing me.

"It's saying I need to get out of here!" I shouted, spinning away from him.

Sam caught on, yelling at Ranboo to help me out of here. I sprinted past him, Ranboo taking my hand and pulling me through the thick foliage of the vines. My feet dragged with pain, Ranboo resorting to completely carrying me in his arms.

I glanced over his shoulder as we neared the stairs, seeing Sam right behind us with Bad on his tail, back at a bigger size.

Skeppy had turned away, emotionless, and went back around the Egg. He seemed at peace to be near the dreadful thing.

I couldn't go back for him, not yet. I needed to get this buzzing migraine out.

Because of his size, Bad couldn't follow us into the stairwell, allowing for us to break free of the house.

We ran as far as we could, arriving at Puffy's mushroom house. The windows were dark, most likely because she had turned in for the night.

Ranboo gently placed me on the grass, allowing me to place my head between my knees to find relief. My head swam with pain and irritation, even after the humming had disappeared and my magic had returned to comfort me.

"What the hell just happened?"

~~~~

uhhhh no thanks Egg, not today

i watched ranboo get traumatized by little nightmares while writing this lolll

i don't even have an upload schedule anymore haha. I'm just gonna upload when I finish a chapter but i wont release two in one day

make sure to get some water, eat something, and take your medicine if you have some. Have an amazing day or night :)

love you all :)))