Book of One-Shots

Mutual Benifit (Ghost and Nightmare Sans)

It was dark night at the House of Hohenzollern, Germany. Ghost entered what was once a well lit castle. Soon, blue flames lit the room. It was long table, and the end, sat Nightmare Sans.

"I've been expecting you."

"Yeah... odd venue you chose..."

"Do you know the history of this castle, Ghost?"

"Enlighten me, please."

"Well, this was once the house of one of the most powerful families of Germany. Home to Frederick William the first, to Wilhelm the Second. Many royals of the Hohenzollern line were born here. But now it stands empty, except for us now."

"And I thought you had your own Castle."

Nightmare sat back in the tall chair.

"While yes, but, to sit in the house of the Soldier King would only make sense to why I asked you here."

"I know why. Your here to sign a contract with Wolfpack."

"Why yes. I heard of your services by everyone. A truly impressive business you operate. Mercenaries, globally and within the Multiverse. But it seems your rivals in Russia have... attempted to dethrone you as the Solder King. Hense this meeting here, at the House of Hollenzollern."

Ghost walked down to the chair closest to Nightmare. He sat down, suitcase on the table and focus on Nightmare.

"You see, Wagner Group has been a thorn in our sides for the last couple of years. Even with their actions in USSR-Controlled Ukraine have been an issue for us at Wolfpack. That Russian splinter group has been worse than the remnants of what was Murkywater. So, are we taking a hit on them or this is something different?"

"In this case I'm referring to something different. A particularly deep thorn in my side. My old friend Error Sans."

"What about him?"

"His actions have but been erratic as of late. His needless cruelty have put me in nothing but pure hatred for him. While a villain in my own right, I see cruelty like him as unneeded and unnecessary."

"So you want a hit on him?"

Nightmare held up a single goopy finger.

"Let me explain first, as it is why I asked you here. You see, Error has always had a grudge on me for some reason. He's always had the need to destroy things he hates the most. It's put me at a disadvantage. It's the reason our group stopped fighting Dream and your younger brother, Ink Ghost. He has become more of a liability alive than dead. His needless destruction and Ink's needless creation only pushes our multiverse to its demise. Me and Dream understood that well. Your group is the only reason we have balance. For that, I thank you for your work. But now that you are the only person I can count on to be able to handle this. It is time to eliminate the nuisance of Error Sans from this multiverse once and for all."

"And what about Ink?"

"He's a mess we will deal with at a later date. I believe your brother Ink Ghost does a better job of maintaining the Mulitverse. Ink Sans however doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut, nor defend and care for his and other's creations. He's a selfish prick, if you know what I'm getting at."

Ghost pondered this. He sat back, leaning in the chair.
Ink was a selfish prick. Ghost never could figure out why he did the things he did, especially to him. His younger brother was the true defender of the Multiverse, but his job wasn't one he would do alone. Charlotte and Ink were his friends, and getting rid of Ink Sans left a lump in his throat. The Multiverse needed someone who could protect it, and while he might not agree with everything Ink does, it was important for the Multiverse to have at least one of the AU's protectors.

"I can't insure the death of Ink or Error, but we can run a hit, brainwash them, and send them back out. The Foundation provides us with high-grade mental amnesiacs. We could easily wipe their memories and it would be like having a new Ink and Error. Kill orders on them is like dropping a nuke on a spider; it's just overkill."

Nightmare stood up. He walked around the table and put a hand on Ghost's shoulder.

"Then it is agreed."

Ghost looked up at Nightmare, his smile slightly wider.

"Now, if you could hand me the contract and we can get this over with."

Nightmare nodded and handed a single piece of paper.
Ghost read through it. He smiled as he saw that he had the top contract. The payout was massive and he was paid upfront.

"We'll put the both of their bounties at 1.2 Million. Knowing that they may attempt to fight back."

"A high bounty, but needed, none the less. I'd be happy to pay for both."

"Like I said, we will bag them, and pretty much wipe their memories. They won't know anything by the end of it."

"And let me ask, who will be going after them?"

"Cross is a Good fit. He knows their tricks and should be able to maneuver them."

"Ah, a good man he is. He's an excellent fit."

"Yup. If we agree to the terms, all I need you to sign on the dotted line and I'll forward the orders."

"Of course, Mr. Ghost."

Nightmare grabbed a pen, and signed the contract.

"Consider this a new beginning then, Ghost. You may have a new contractor soon."

Ghost smiled as he signed the contract.

It was now done.

However, Ghost looked to himself, and knew, he wasn't Nightmare. He was a different person to him. Nightmare was a cold, calculated man, willing to get his way, no matter the suffering, which he thrived on. Ghost wasn't that. He was only a businessman, only doing his job. Ghost owned his private military firm to do his job to bring some security to the Multiverse.

He knew that he lived in a world, where he could be turned into a pawn for doomed gamblers, only prolonging their fate. He knew that to thrive, was to exploit these faults, and play both sides. He was both a hero, and a villain. A savior and a devil. That's why he took the time to work with Nightmare. It was a mutual benefit for both.

But he knew the dirty truth about Nightmare, he is and always the villain. He made that choice long ago. It was a choice that Ghost didn't share. He had seen his brother, Ink Ghost, and had learned that while there were flaws in his actions, it was all out of fear. It was out of necessity. Ghost had seen first hand how his brother did his job. While he couldn't support every action of Ink Sans, it was clear he cared about the Multiverse, and would do anything to protect it. But he didn't want him to upset that balance. That was why he made sure to only work with those who understood.

But for Ghost, signing contracts and executing orders was just his job.

For him...

It was just another workday.

He put the papers in the suitcase.

He set the fates of many with the slight of a pen.