Chapter Text
Nightmare had found him lost in his destroyed AU. Sitting in the vast nothingness. He offered salvation in exchange for work. Important work, with maintaining the balance of the multiverse. He also offered hope to help restore his home. Nightmare had the aura of a god. The power to backup his claims.
Cross was impressed with Nightmare's castle. Clean and intimidating. It reminded Cross of the classic gothic castles from old black and white movies.
"I think now would be an appropriate time to introduce you to your new teammates. They are a rough bunch. But once you have earned their trust, you can rely on them to watch your back." Nightmare guided Cross inside the castle. Leading him to where his new teammates would be. "Each one has experienced their own horrible backstories, don't be surprised if they don't open up to you quickly...or at all."
"Of course. Not the first time I've had to work with monsters in a work environment and living quarters. I think I can handle not stepping on my teammates toes." Cross said.
Nightmare did verbalize a response. He continued to guide Cross down the hallway to the TV room. The negative guardian opened the doors and waited for Cross to enter the room. He followed in.
"Killer, Dust, Horror! This is your new teammate Cross. He will be joining in on missions soon enough. I expect you to not murder him in his sleep." Nightmare dryly said.
Cross scanned the room. The TV was on a cooking show. At first glance Cross didn't see any Monsters. He rescanned the room and there on the large couch was a doll sized couch with three skeleton bitties. A large orange cat lazily loafed next to the bitties.
The largest of the three had a hole in his skull, the one sitting in his lap wore a hoodie with a red ribbon around his neck and the third bitty had no eye lights and black running down his face. The largest one, and the one in his lap, did not look impressed. The one with tar like tears seemed to be scheming.
"You must be the new guy! I'm Killer... basically Boss's right hand." He stood up with the grace of a cat sunning themselves. He gave Cross a smug smile. "Don't worry about keeping up, Boss and I will make sure you won't be thrown into the deep end of the pool right off the bat."
Cross's eyes narrowed. This had to be a joke or a test. He glanced at Nightmare, looking for a punchline or anything.
"Killer is correct, I will assign easier missions at first. No sense scaring you off the team." Nightmare stated.
Killer walked over to the giant fluffy cat and scratched it's chin. A deep rumbling purr echoed throughout the room. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" Cross felt insulted by the bitty's smirk.
"Sir... These are Bitties." Cross growled out in irritation. Before he could speak out further on the insult to his ego, Cross felt a sharp pain in his foot. He snapped his attention down and witnessed Killer on the back of the cat. The knife glistening sharply in the bitty's hand. The cat growled as the hair down it's spine flared up.
"Killer, what have I told you about asserting dominance over new comers? And Cross..." Nightmare went from chiding teacher mode to sinister boss tones. "Cross I expected better."
"Boss! He was looking down at us! No way I'd let that slide!" Killer snapped. "I was being charming and he went and insulted us!"
Cross was watching the interaction between the guardian of Negativity and a bitty. It was surreal. Nightmare spoke to the tiny creature like any other Monster, and the bitty was not cowering at all.