Chapter 19

"U-Undyne, I DO have a way to sneak him past all the blobs..." Alphys said.

Dream's heart jumped as Alphys' voice cut through the silence. He glanced towards the scientist, his hope rekindling. Undyne turned to her with a surprised expression, the tension in the room shifting.

"You do?" Dream asked, his voice filled with anticipation. Alphys nodded, her gaze flickering between him and Undyne.

"It's... risky, and not without its dangers," she admitted. "But if Dream is as determined as he seems, then... then maybe it's worth a shot."

Dream felt a rush of gratitude towards Alphys. He turned to Undyne, his gaze pleading. "Undyne, please. I need to do this."

He waited for her response, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it. His chance to help Piko, to make a difference. He just hoped Undyne would allow it.

"....Fine. But when in danger, Come RIGHT back, got it?" Undyne said.

A surge of relief washed over Dream as Undyne finally gave her consent. He nodded, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement, fear, and gratitude.

"Of course, Undyne. I promise," he agreed earnestly. He was well aware of the risks, but he was also ready to face them. For Piko, for their people, he was willing to take this chance.

With Undyne's approval and Alphys' plan, Dream felt a renewed sense of hope. He was finally going to make a difference. He was finally going to help Piko. He was ready to face whatever awaited him beyond the underground.

"Thank you, Undyne. And thank you, Alphys," he said, his voice filled with sincere gratitude. With a final nod of determination, he turned and left the throne room, ready to face the challenges that awaited him.

"S-so to get to the surface, you need to press the blue one. And in an emergency, press the red one. " Alphys showed Dream the buttons on the orbs. She took what looked like a small chip on the orb and put it on the floor. "G-got it?"

Dream's gaze flickered between the two orbs, his mind working to memorize Alphys' instructions. The blue orb to reach the surface, and the red one in case of an emergency. It seemed simple enough, but he understood the gravity of the situation. One wrong move and things could go horribly wrong.

"I got it, Alphys," Dream said, nodding his head. His gaze landed on the small chip Alphys had placed on the floor. "And what's that for?" He asked, pointing at it.

"That marks the location of where the orb teleports you to. It can't teleport anywhere that the chip isn't." Alphys explained

"Ah, I see," Dream nodded, understanding the function of the small chip. "So, in essence, it acts as a beacon for the teleportation orb. That's ingenious, Alphys."

Dream picked up the small chip, examining it closely. It was a small piece of technology, but held the key to his mission. He carefully tucked it into his pocket, ensuring it was secure.

"Thank you, Alphys," Dream said, his gaze meeting the scientist's. "I won't let you down."

With a newfound determination, Dream prepared himself for the journey ahead. One way or another, he would reach the surface and find Piko.

The sight of the familiar surroundings hit Dream like a wave, a torrent of nostalgia and longing washing over him. He could almost hear Piko's laughter echoing through the rooms, feel her energy pulsating through the house.

He moved slowly through the house, each step taking him back to those carefree days. The days when music filled the air and laughter was their constant companion. Those were the days he missed the most, the days he wished he could return to.

Opening the door to Piko's music studio was like stepping into a time capsule. It was untouched, preserved just as they had left it. He could almost see Piko sitting at her piano, her fingers dancing across the keys, her eyes sparkling with joy and creativity.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. The memories were bittersweet, a painful reminder of what they had lost. But they also served as a reminder of why he was here, why he was fighting. For Piko, for their memories, for a chance to create new ones.

With a heavy heart, Dream left the studio, closing the door behind him. The house was filled with echoes of their past, but he needed to focus on the present. And right now, he needed to find Piko.

As he shut the door, something caught his eye. It was one of Piko's songs. And it actually... it was the one part of the room that WAS touched. It was the song she'd sang in the void, but with different lyrics. Dream reached out to touch it, and suddenly he could hear Piko singing. She sang a sad song. It matched Dream's thoughts. Dream's thoughts of how things used to be. It also questioned why things had to change.

Dream listened to the song, the melody seeping into his very soul, sending a chill down his spine. Piko's voice echoed around the room, filling the space with the raw emotion of her lyrics. It was a song of longing, of desire for things to go back to the way they used to be, a sentiment Dream shared.

Her words resonated with him, reflecting his own thoughts and feelings. The sadness, the longing, the regret... it was all too familiar. He felt a lump forming in his throat as he listened, the words hitting closer to home than he cared to admit.

Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision as he reached out to touch the lyrics on the page. He could almost feel Piko's presence, as if she was right there with him, singing the song just for him.

"Bring back what once was mine..." Dream whispered, repeating the lyrics under his breath. The words echoed through the room, a silent plea to the universe.

With a heavy heart, Dream tucked the song into his pocket, a tangible reminder of Piko and their shared past. He knew he had to carry on, to find Piko and bring her back. But the song – her song – would stay with him, a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Dream could still feel the warmth of the porch beneath him, see the twinkling stars above, and hear the soft strumming of Piko's guitar. He could feel her, sitting next to him, her voice a soft melody in the still night. Those memories were so vivid, so real, that for a moment he thought he could reach out and touch them.

A single tear rolled down his cheek, landing on the wooden floor of the room. It was a symbol of his longing, his yearning for those simpler times. It was a symbol of his love for Piko, the girl who had become his world, his universe.

The memories were overwhelming, each one more painful than the last. But they were also a source of strength, a reminder of why he was here. He needed to find Piko, to bring her back, to make new memories together.

With a heavy heart and a renewed sense of determination, Dream wiped the tear from his face and left the room. He had a mission to complete, a promise to keep. And he would stop at nothing to achieve it.

The sight outside was a stark contrast to the memories that filled the house. The once bustling city was now reduced to ruins, a grim reminder of what had transpired. The sight of the destruction was gut-wrenching, but it also fueled Dream's resolve. The pink blobs had taken away their home, their friends, and their peace. He wouldn't let them take away Piko too.

The damage outside was extensive, but Dream didn't let it deter him. He knew he couldn't change what had happened, but he could still make a difference. He could still save Piko. And he wouldn't stop until he did.

The destruction around him served as a grim reminder of the task at hand. But Dream didn't let it break him. Instead, he let it fuel his determination. He would bring back Piko. He would bring back what once was theirs. And he would make sure the pink blobs paid for what they had done.

Dream's heart skipped a beat as he took in the sight before him. The pink hue that engulfed the city, the dark figure hovering above, and most importantly, Piko standing there with glowing pink eyes. His breath caught in his throat, his mind racing to process what he was seeing.

Fear and concern flooded his senses, but he refused to let it paralyze him. He knew deep down that this wasn't the Piko he knew, the Piko he loved. Something had happened to her, something dark and sinister.

With a mixture of determination and trepidation, Dream stepped forward, his voice filled with urgency. "Piko, it's me, Dream! Please, snap out of it! You're not yourself!"

He desperately hoped that his words would reach her, that the connection they had would break through whatever hold the dark figure had on her. He couldn't bear to see her like this, consumed by darkness. He had to bring her back, no matter the cost.

Dream's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the dark figure and Piko land just around the corner. This was his chance, his moment to intervene and separate Piko from whatever dark influence had taken hold of her. He knew he had to act swiftly and decisively.

As the figure and Piko passed by the corner where Dream was hidden, he took a deep breath, mustering all his courage. With a burst of determination, he stepped out from his hiding spot, his eyes locked on Piko.

"Piko!" he called out, his voice filled with urgency and love. "Please, listen to me! You're not yourself! We can fight this together!"

He extended his hand towards her, hoping against hope that his words would reach her, that their bond would be strong enough to break the hold of the dark figure. He refused to let Piko be consumed by darkness. He would do whatever it took to bring her back.

The figure kicked Dream with such force, he was flung into the old crater. Piko landed in the middle of the crater, and stared at Dream, darkness radiating off her body.

The force of the kick sent Dream flying through the air, his body crashing into the old crater with a resounding thud. Pain shot through his body, but he refused to let it deter him. He struggled to regain his footing, his eyes locked on Piko standing in the center of the crater.

Her glowing pink eyes and the darkness radiating from her body sent shivers down Dream's spine. This wasn't the Piko he knew, this was something else entirely. Still, he couldn't give up on her. He had to find a way to break the hold the darkness had on her.

Pushing through the pain, Dream slowly rose to his feet, his voice filled with determination. "Piko, please!" he called out, his voice laced with desperation. "Remember who you are! Remember the love we shared, the memories we made! You're stronger than this darkness!"

He took a step closer, his hand reaching out towards her. He refused to let fear consume him. He had to believe that their connection, their love, was strong enough to break through the darkness.

The pain seared through Dream's body as Piko shoved him against the wall of the crater, her grip tightening around him. He felt a sharp stab in his shoulder, causing his vision to blur and his ears to ring. The world around him faded into the background, his focus solely on Piko's golden note necklace.

Through the haze of pain, a surge of determination coursed through Dream's veins. He knew he couldn't give up. He couldn't let the darkness consume him or Piko. With every ounce of strength he could muster, he reached out towards the necklace, his fingers trembling.

"Piko..." he gasped, his voice strained. "Remember... our love... our music... the joy we shared..."

His grip on reality wavered, but he refused to let go. He refused to let the darkness win. With one final effort, Dream mustered all his energy and pressed his lips against the golden note on Piko's necklace, hoping that the power of their love would break through the darkness and bring her back to him.

As he reached for the necklace, Piko raised her sword, unsure of what he was doing. When she saw the necklace, she paused. She studied it.

Dream held his breath as Piko paused, her gaze fixed on the golden note on her necklace. He could see the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, a glimmer of recognition fighting against the darkness that had consumed her.

His heart pounded in his chest, hope blossoming within him. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance to reach her, to break through the hold of the darkness. He knew he had to seize this moment.

"Piko, please," Dream pleaded, his voice filled with urgency and love. "Remember... remember the melody that brought us together, the lyrics that spoke to our souls. Remember the happiness we found in our music."

He extended his hand towards her, his eyes filled with sincerity. "You're not alone, Piko. I'm here for you, always. Let our love guide you back to the light."

Dream held his breath, waiting for Piko's response, hoping against all odds that the power of their shared memories and love would break through the darkness and bring her back to him.

As the tear fell down Piko's face, Dream watched in awe as it scorched through the darkness, leaving a trail of light in its wake. The single tear was a testament to the power of their love, a beacon of hope that pierced through the darkness surrounding her.

A surge of hope washed over Dream as he witnessed this small but significant act of resistance. It was a sign, a sign that Piko was still in there, fighting against the darkness that had consumed her.

With renewed determination, Dream reached out his hand, his voice filled with gentle reassurance. "Piko, it's okay. I'm here with you. We'll face this darkness together. Trust in our love, in the bond we share."

He hoped that his words would reach her, that the light within her would grow stronger and overpower the darkness. As he extended his hand towards her, he prayed that she would take it, that they could face the challenges ahead as a team, united in love and strength.

"Finish him..." A voice behind her said. It was the dark figure. "They gave up on you a long, long time ago."

Dream's heart sank as he heard the voice of the dark figure behind Piko. The words cut through him like a knife, but he refused to let them break his resolve. He knew that the darkness was trying to manipulate Piko, to plant seeds of doubt and despair within her.

With a steady voice, Dream spoke, his words filled with unwavering faith. "Piko, don't listen to the lies. I have never given up on you, and I never will. Our love is stronger than any darkness that tries to tear us apart."

He took a step closer, his eyes locked on Piko's, filled with love and determination. "You are not alone, Piko. Together, we can overcome anything. Trust in our bond, in the memories we've shared. We can find our way back to the light, back to the love that binds us."

Dream's voice carried a quiet strength, a reminder that their love was unbreakable. He hoped that his words would reach Piko's heart, that she would recognize the truth amidst the darkness that surrounded her.

"Make this NIGHTMARE end." The figure said nightmare like it was a name. The darkness covered over where the tear fell. Piko growled. She swung the sword.

As Piko swung her sword, a surge of panic shot through Dream's veins. He could sense the immense power behind her strike, and he knew that he needed to act quickly to protect himself and find a way to bring an end to this nightmare.

In a split-second decision, Dream reached into his pocket, his hand closing around the emergency orb. He knew that activating it would teleport him away from this dangerous situation, but he couldn't leave Piko behind. He couldn't abandon her to the darkness.

As Piko's sword came closer, Dream's grip tightened around the emergency orb, but instead of pressing the teleporting button, he hesitated. He couldn't give up on Piko. Not yet.

Summoning all his strength, Dream evaded Piko's swing, his body moving with agility and grace. He managed to grab hold of Piko's wrist, trying to restrain her without causing harm.

"Piko, please," he pleaded, his voice filled with desperation. "Fight it! You have the strength within you to overcome this nightmare! Don't let it consume you!"

With one hand still holding onto Piko's wrist, Dream pressed the teleporting button on the emergency orb, activating it. He hoped that the sudden disappearance would startle Piko, giving her a moment of clarity amidst the chaos. He prayed that she would find her way back to him, back to the love and light that they shared.

As Dream teleported back to the underground, a wave of relief washed over him. He found himself in a familiar setting, surrounded by the comforting presence of the underground's familiar sights and sounds. But his heart ached, knowing that Piko was still trapped in the clutches of darkness.

Determined not to give up on her, Dream took a deep breath and focused his thoughts. He needed to find a way to save Piko, to bring her back from the nightmare that consumed her.

With renewed determination, Dream set off through the underground, seeking guidance and assistance from the inhabitants who knew the depths of this mysterious realm. He was willing to do whatever it took to rescue Piko, to reunite with her and restore the love and light that once filled their lives.

Dream knew that the journey ahead would not be easy, but he was filled with hope and determination. He believed in the power of love and the strength of their bond, and he was prepared to face any challenge that stood in his way.

As he ventured deeper into the underground, Dream's heart whispered a silent prayer, hoping that Piko would find her way back to him, and that their love would conquer the darkness once and for all.