The group sat around the living room, brainstorming ways to reach the Overworld and rescue Dream when Time suddenly appeared in her usual, dramatic fashion. "What are you guys doing?" she asked, narrowing her eyes at them.
"Discussing if pineapple goes on pizza. It doesn't, by the way," Minho lied smoothly, folding his arms.
"But, it literally does," Felix said, completely ruining the cover story.
"It literally doesn't," Minho shot back, his tone laced with mock offense.
"It does!" Felix insisted, his voice rising.
"It doesn't!"
"It DOES!"
"It DOESN'T!"
This verbal tennis match went on for a solid five minutes, the rest of the group exchanging exasperated glances while Minho and Felix got increasingly louder.
"Alright, let's not start World War III over pizza toppings," Chan finally said, holding up his hands to restore peace. "Let's move on."
Time sighed, clearly unimpressed by their antics. "Anyway," she said, sitting down and crossing her legs with an air of impatience, "since Dream is gone, I was curious—what does she usually do while she's here?"
The group exchanged looks, collectively shrugging.
"She'd mostly be in her room, watching that show about superheroes," Jisung said casually.
"Erm, actually," Chan began, holding up a single finger to correct him, "it's called Miraculous."
"And why do you know that?" Minho asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow.
"Because I listen," Chan replied matter-of-factly, shooting Minho a pointed look.
Time rolled her eyes, clearly not in the mood for their banter. "Well then, let's watch this Miracle show together," she said, her tone dripping with mild annoyance.
"It's Miraculous," Chan corrected her again. "And we didn't watch it together. Dream always watched it alone, usually in her room. She only came out for food."
"Why would she come out for food? We don't eat," Time said, tilting her head in confusion.
"I don't know," Chan replied with a shrug. "She's Dream. She does what she wants."
"Oh, so she's not around much?" Time pressed, her tone casual but her eyes sharp.
"Well, we'd go places sometimes," Jeongin offered. "Like that one time we went to the gas station, but Felix started seeing people, so we had to come home."
"It was a person," Felix corrected, sounding indignant.
"Oh, right, totally normal," Minho said sarcastically. Then he turned to Time, a curious glint in his eye. "Hey, Time, I've got a silly question."
"Go ahead," she replied, resting her chin on her hand.
"Can humans go to... you know... the Above?" he asked, feigning nonchalance.
Time tilted her head, studying him. "Only if one of us takes you. But not on your own," she explained. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious," Minho said with a shrug. "Dream never mentioned it."
Time narrowed her eyes slightly, suspicion flickering across her face. "Dream doesn't tell you a lot of things, does she?" she said, her voice laced with subtle accusation.
Chan immediately stepped in, redirecting the conversation. "It's not like that. She's just... reserved. It's not a big deal."
Time looked like she wanted to press further, but instead, she stood up and stretched dramatically. "Well, I guess I'll leave you guys to your pizza debate," she said, smirking. "Try not to miss Dream too much. I'm sure she's doing just fine... wherever she is."
As Time turned away, the group exchanged quick, silent glances. They had no plan, but they all knew what they needed to do. The moment Time stepped into her golden swirl of light, Chan leapt forward, grabbing onto her arm.
"Wait, what are you—" Time barely got the words out before the rest of the group lunged after him. Minho grabbed Chan's shoulder, Felix and Jisung grabbed Minho, and Changbin tackled them all for good measure.
In a flash, the golden light engulfed them, and they were pulled into the portal.
The Overworld was nothing like they expected. The air shimmered with a strange glow, and everything felt... lighter, as if gravity barely existed here. They landed in a heap on the ground, disoriented but alive.
"What the heck?!" Time shouted, pulling her arm free and glaring at them. "What are you all doing here?!"
"Tagging along," Minho said smugly, brushing dirt off his pants. "You're clearly hiding something, and we're done waiting around."
"This is highly illegal!" Time snapped, her voice echoing in the strange, dreamlike space. "You can't just hitch a ride to the Overworld!"
"Well, we just did," Changbin said, cracking his knuckles. "Now, where's Dream?"
Time hesitated, glancing around nervously. For the first time, she didn't look in control. "You don't understand. You're humans. You don't belong here."
"Then take us to Dream, and we'll leave," Chan said firmly, stepping forward. His voice was calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. "Unless you have something to hide?"
Time glared at him, her jaw tightening. "You're making a big mistake," she muttered, before reluctantly turning away. "Fine. Follow me."
The group exchanged triumphant glances. They were closer to finding Dream—and closer to uncovering the truth.
Time's anger simmered just beneath the surface. Though her plan wasn't working as intended, she maintained her composure. She always had an ace up her sleeve—she could rewind everything and fix it. She just needed the right moment. With a forced smile, she gestured for the group to follow her, leading them through the winding corridors of the overworld.
"Here we are," Time announced with false cheer, stopping in front of a large, ornate door etched with glowing runes. She pushed it open, and the group hesitantly entered the dimly lit room. At its center, a cage made of golden, swirling energy stood, holding none other than Dream.
"There she is!" Minho whispered in shock.
"Idiots!" Time spat as the door slammed shut behind them. With a flick of her wrist, she sealed the room, trapping them all. The glowing runes along the walls pulsed as the lock clicked into place.
"It was a trick!" Dream shouted from her cage, her voice laced with frustration.
"Dream?!" Chan called out, his tone somewhere between confusion and relief. He stepped closer to the cage, his heart sinking at the sight of her restrained.
Dream sighed, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, you found me. Hurray. Now, genius, how do you plan to get us out of here?"
The group exchanged uneasy glances. "Can't you, you know, magic us out of here?" Seungmin asked, gesturing vaguely at the glowing bars around her.
Dream shot him a deadpan look. "Oh sure, I'd love to. But since somebody died, I had to transfer half of my power into them to save their life," she explained, pointedly locking eyes with Chan.
Chan blinked in surprise. "I don't know who you're talking about," he said, feigning innocence as he scratched the back of his neck.
"Wait," Hyunjin cut in, his eyes lighting up as an idea formed. "So technically, Chan has your powers now?"
"Well, yes...sort of," Dream admitted, her tone reluctant.
"So, if Chan just gives the power back to you—"
"Stop right there," Dream interrupted, her voice sharp. "If he gives it back, he'll die. Again."
The weight of her words settled heavily over the group.
"Darn!" Hyunjin muttered, crossing his arms in frustration. "So much for an easy solution."
"Okay, okay," Jisung chimed in, pacing nervously. "But if we can't use Chan's powers, and Dream can't use her powers, how are we supposed to get out of here?"
Time reappeared in a burst of shimmering light, her grin wide and smug as she surveyed the group.
"Look at you all," she sneered, her voice dripping with mockery. "Pathetic. Trapped. Just as useless as I thought you'd be."
The group turned toward her, their collective frustration reaching its peak.
"What do you even want?" Chan demanded, stepping forward.
Time tilted her head, feigning thoughtfulness. "What I want is simple. I want to undo this mess—erase everything, start over, and make sure none of you meddle with what's mine ever again."
"You can't just rewrite reality because you're upset things didn't go your way!" Changbin snapped.
Time's expression darkened. "Oh, but I can. That's the beauty of being me."
Dream slammed her fist against the bars of her cage, her golden eyes blazing. "You're nothing but a spoiled child throwing a tantrum!"
Time's lips curled into a smirk. "Say what you want, cousin. But the difference between us is that I know how to win."
With that, she snapped her fingers, and a wave of energy pulsed through the room. The group staggered as the walls seemed to shimmer and distort, Time's laugh echoing around them.
The group traveled back to the past, returning to the night before everything spiraled out of control. Dream, still retaining her memories from the reset, sent them a vivid dream of the events that had transpired before Time rewound everything. When the group woke up and pieced their dreams together, they realized it wasn't just a coincidence—it was real. Determined to stop Time's manipulation, they devised a plan to confront her again, careful not to reveal their intentions too soon.
When Time appeared, the group felt an eerie sense of déjà vu. To distract her, they reignited the same pineapple-on-pizza debate. As expected, the argument escalated into playful bickering, giving them just enough time to act. Time eventually grew tired of the nonsense and left, but this time, she lingered near the door. The group wasted no time—they launched themselves at her before she could react, forcing another teleportation to the Overworld.
Time stumbled, barely maintaining her composure as they landed. "What are you doing?!" she snapped, her voice laced with irritation.
"Just curious what would happen," Minho replied with a sly grin. "We figured Dream wouldn't beat us up, but you? You're our only option."
"Since we're already here," Felix chimed in, "why don't we check in on Dream? You said she was fine last time."
"She's working," Time lied, her tone stiff and unconvincing.
"Great! Let's see her at work," Chan pressed, his eyes narrowing.
"She doesn't like people watching her while she's busy," Time countered quickly, folding her arms defensively.
"She won't mind," Chan said firmly, refusing to back down.
"I know her better than you do," Time snapped, her irritation growing.
While the argument unfolded, Dream, locked away in her golden cage, heard their voices and screamed at the top of her lungs. The sound echoed through the vast hall, catching the group's attention immediately.
"Take us to her!" Changbin demanded, his voice cutting through the tension.
"You don't need to go there," Time said, trying to keep her composure. She attempted to redirect them, but Chan suddenly remembered Dream's warning—it was all a trap. He forced himself to think quickly.
"Never mind," Chan said smoothly, masking his true intentions. "Why don't you give us a tour instead?"
Time hesitated but eventually relented, leading them through the shimmering halls of the Overworld. For hours, they explored vast rooms filled with glowing lights, floating staircases, and endless corridors, but Time avoided the one place they truly wanted to see—the massive golden door at the center of it all.
"What's in there?" Jeongin finally asked, pointing at the door.
"Just an empty room," Time lied smoothly, though her voice faltered slightly.
"Let's take a look," Minho suggested, playing along. "Maybe we can help you figure out what to do with it."
Time's eyes darted nervously, but she couldn't risk suspicion. Reluctantly, she opened the door. "Go in," she urged, her voice dripping with impatience.
Chan shook his head, his instincts screaming at him to be cautious. "We'll stay right here. Why don't you go in first?"
"Trust me, it's safe," Time pushed, growing more agitated.
Before anyone could respond, a desperate scream rang out from inside the room. "Help!" Dream's voice was unmistakable, even muffled behind the door.
"Is Dream in there?!" Changbin shouted, his fists clenching.
Time rolled her eyes, feigning boredom. "Go in and find out," she said smugly, her voice laced with mockery.
"No!" Chan snapped. "You go in!"
Caught off guard, Time hesitated. The group didn't give her a choice. They nudged her forward, and as she reluctantly stepped into the room, the others followed cautiously. Just as they feared, Dream was there, locked in a dazzling golden cage that seemed almost alive, shimmering and shifting like liquid light.
"There she is!" Time said, her voice drenched in fake annoyance.
Dream's eyes lit up with relief. "Finally!" she gasped.
"You planned this," Hyunjin accused, stepping closer to Time. "How do we unlock her?"
"I'll never tell!" Time shrieked, thrashing as the group grabbed her to prevent her escape.
Hyunjin shook her slightly. "Tell us! Now!"
"Do your worst!" Time spat, her smirk returning despite her predicament. "You'll never win!"
Dream watched from her cage, a flicker of hope and determination shining through her exhaustion. "You have to figure it out!" she shouted. "I gave you everything you need to stop her!"
The group exchanged determined glances. Whatever it took, they would free Dream—and finally end Time's reign of chaos.
The group stood in the golden chamber, staring at Dream trapped in her shimmering cage. Time, still restrained by the others, glared at them with frustration. "You think you can just undo everything I've worked for?" she hissed. "You can't stop me."
Chan stepped closer to Dream's cage, studying the intricate locks and the glowing chains holding it shut. "Dream," he said gently, "is there any way to open this without her help?"
Dream shook her head, her expression tired but determined. "The cage is tied to her powers. She's the only one who can unlock it, but she won't do it willingly."
"Then we'll just have to make her," Changbin said firmly.
Hyunjin glanced at Dream. "Is there anything you can do from in there? Maybe weaken the lock?"
Dream sighed. "Not directly. My powers are limited while I'm stuck here, but Time isn't as invincible as she thinks. If we keep her distracted and throw her off balance, she might slip up."
"How do we distract her?" Felix asked, tightening his grip on Time's arm.
"I have an idea," Minho said, smirking. He leaned closer to Time and spoke casually. "So, Time, since you're so powerful, why didn't you stop us from getting this far? Seems like you're not as in control as you think."
Time's eyes narrowed. "I let you get this far. You're nothing more than a nuisance."
"Sure you did," Minho said sarcastically, egging her on. "And yet, here we are, about to free Dream."
As Time grew angrier, Dream focused her remaining strength. Though she couldn't break the cage herself, she subtly began to weaken the energy holding it together. "Just a little longer," she whispered.
Chan noticed the faint glow from the cage dimming. "Keep her talking," he said under his breath to the group.
Jisung jumped in. "So, if you're so amazing, why don't you just snap your fingers and stop us? Or are you scared Dream might actually beat you?"
Time sneered. "Scared? Of her? Don't make me laugh. Dream is nothing without me keeping her in check."
"Funny," Jeongin chimed in. "She didn't seem to need you before you locked her up."
Time's frustration boiled over. "You think she's so perfect? She's reckless, impulsive, and—"
Suddenly, the faint hum of the cage stopped. The locks clicked open, and the golden bars faded. Dream stepped out, finally free.
"Surprise," Dream said with a smirk, standing tall. "Looks like you underestimated me again, Time."
Time's eyes widened in shock. "No... this isn't possible!"
"Believe it," Dream replied.
The group quickly restrained Time again before she could retaliate. Dream approached her and said calmly, "Your games are over. You've lost."
Time glared at her but said nothing. She was outmatched.
"Let's get out of here," Chan said, turning to the group. They all nodded, relieved the ordeal was finally over.
Dream took the group home, and by the time they arrived, it was already nighttime. Despite their exhaustion, the group was excited and decided to eat out to celebrate their eventful day. Dream, however, seemed utterly confused.
"Where are we going?" she asked as the group piled into the car.
"A steakhouse!" Minho said with an almost childlike excitement.
Dream tilted her head. "What's a steakhouse? And why is it different from any other house?"
"It's not literally a house," Chan explained, buckling his seatbelt. "It's a restaurant."
"And what's a restaurant?" Dream asked, looking genuinely perplexed.
Jeongin whipped around in his seat, eyes wide in disbelief. "How do you not know what a restaurant is?! Even Felix knows what a restaurant is!"
"Hey!" Felix protested, though he didn't deny the statement.
Dream rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Okay, explain it to me then," she demanded.
"It's a public place where you pay to eat food you could just make at home," Changbin chimed in, shrugging.
Dream blinked. "Why would I pay to eat food with strangers when I could stay home and eat for free?"
"Because it's fancy," Changbin replied, though his tone made it clear even he didn't fully believe what he was saying.
When they arrived at the steakhouse, Dream's confusion only grew. As they stepped inside, she immediately noticed the dim lighting and frowned.
"Why is it so dark?" she asked loudly, earning some side-eyes from other diners.
"Shhh!" Chan whispered. "It's supposed to be romantic and private."
Dream shot him a side-eye of her own. "Romantic and private? There are like fifty people in here."
Ignoring her commentary, the hostess led them to a table. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough space at the main table, so an extra table for two was set up for Dream and Chan. As they sat down, Dream scanned the menu with a baffled expression.
When the waitress arrived to take their drink orders, Dream whispered to Chan, "What do I get? I don't know any of these names."
Chan leaned closer. "Just pick one. Do you want something fizzy, sweet, or plain?"
Dream hesitated, then pointed to the waitress. "I'll have... Pepsi?" she said as if it were a question.
When Changbin noticed their setup, he wandered over, his expression a mix of jealousy and mischief.
"This looks... cozy," he said, crossing his arms.
"Yup," Chan said with forced cheerfulness, clearly trying to avoid a situation.
"If you don't want to be alone with Dream, I could sit here instead," Changbin offered with a sly smile.
"Nope. I'm fine," Chan replied firmly.
"No, really! I don't mind!" Changbin insisted, trying to scoot closer to the table.
"Changbin, go back to your table," Chan hissed, shooing him away just as the waitress returned with their drinks.
Grumbling, Changbin retreated, but not without throwing a glance over his shoulder every few seconds.
When the food arrived, Dream looked down at her plate with wide eyes. She picked up a fry, poked the steak suspiciously, and then stuck her finger into the mashed potatoes.
"What is this?" she asked, holding up the fry like it was a foreign artifact.
"That's steak, fries, and mashed potatoes," Chan explained, stifling a laugh as he watched her poke and prod.
"It looks... messy," Dream muttered, though she cautiously tasted the mashed potatoes. Her eyes widened. "Wait... this is actually good!" she exclaimed, a little too loudly, drawing stares from nearby tables.
"Shh, Dream," Chan said, trying not to laugh.
At Changbin's Table
Back at the main table, Changbin couldn't stop glancing over at Dream and Chan, his irritation evident.
"Why are you so interested?" Minho asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I just... feel bad for them," Changbin said, attempting to sound noble. "They're all alone over there."
"Sure," Minho replied, rolling his eyes.
The rest of the group exchanged knowing looks but said nothing.
After finishing their meal, they decided to continue the celebration with a movie night.
"We should watch a Miraculous movie!" Dream exclaimed with enthusiasm.
"No way," Hyunjin objected. "It has to be a Christmas movie. It's December!"
"Absolutely not. We're watching a horror movie," Minho declared confidently.
The group bickered for a solid ten minutes before finally deciding to draw names from a hat. Much to everyone's surprise (and Minho's horror), Dream's name was chosen.
"YES! MIRACULOUS MOVIE!" she shouted, fist-pumping the air.
Dream, still riding high from her victory, ended up sitting between Chan and Changbin during the movie. Chan chuckled quietly at her dramatic reactions, while Changbin silently stewed, occasionally making unnecessary comments about the plot.
When the movie ended, everyone was too tired to argue anymore. They all went to bed, the events of the day finally catching up to them.
Dream, however, lingered for a moment before whispering to herself, "Humans are weird, but this was... fun." She smiled, something she hadn't done in a long time, and followed the group to bed.