The Power of Information
“We need to stop the bullies. They already got half the students fear them bad enough to stop going to school.” “I completely agree with you brother, but how do we get them? None of the teachers except you know about their schemes. They get good grades, excel in sports and co-curriculum, and they always help the teachers. Every teacher that the victims turn to turn a deaf ear but you care.” Dream said, taking a sip of cocoa. “We have to do something, Dream. If we don’t, Josh, Nate and Matthew will keep on hurting innocent students.” Mr. Nightmare, the Form teacher of class D, massaged his temples. “I don’t want another student to suffer trauma the rest of their life.” Mr. Nightmare explained. “The faster we take action, the faster this will stop.”

“We need info, brother. Info on them bullying. Proof they are doing such a thing.” “Proof?” The word was echoed. “Yes. If we can track them bullying and catch them while they do so, we might convince the other teachers to help us.” Dream suggested. His brother considered. “That is a very good suggestion, Dream. Only problem is, you are in my class and Josh, Nate, and Matthew are from Mrs. Tori’s class. That proves we have limited access to their main bullying spot.” “Wait, weren’t there two brothers in her class too? Sans and Papy? We could ask them.” Mr. Nightmare looked at his brother. “Really? You can do that? I heard Sans is aggressive.” “Only to the bullies, brother. Nightmare, we must take action like you said, right? Please let me try.”

Papyrus, nicknamed Paps or Papy, is pretty timid. Sans, his older brother, always keeps an eye out for bullies and a small art blade just in case. He walked down the corridor, his little brother’s hand in his. They bumped into Dream, who started to ask them.

“Sans? Sans Gaster, right?”

“yeah?”

“From class B right?”

“yeah. what do you want?” Sans asked, his hand entering the pocket of his hoodie to pull out the knife.

“Please don’t mistaken. I just want to ask you regarding Josh and his gang.”

His hand stopped, slowly emerging from the pocket, empty. “josh huh? well, can’t tell ya much. he’s alway up ‘n pickin’ on us. the jerk keeps hurtin’ us.”

“LAST WEEK HE THREW A RUBBER AT ME AND THEN POURED SOUP ON MY HEAD!” Papyrus whined, looking at Dream. Dream was shocked. “He poured SOUP on Papyrus’ head?” “yeah. still boiling hot. i had ta take ‘im ta a doctor.” Dream took notes. “Do they have specific targets?” “yeah. my bro and a small boy. they call him ‘monster kid’ since he was born with no arms. the poor kid’s been teased more times than i’ve said puns.” Dream took that as a bad sign, since the older brother loves jokes and tells them often. “Don’t people stand up for you guys?” “never have, never will. mrs. toriel’s too trusting ta think josh’ll hurt us. that’s why i have this.” He showed the art knife. Dream burned with anger.

How could they hurt such innocent children? 

Dream took more notes and closed his yellow notebook. “Thank you.” “sure thing, buddy pal.” Before leaving them, he gave Papyrus a sweet. “Here. You will feel better.” The little boy took it. “THANK YOU NICE BOY!” He called out. Dream smiled, walking down the corridor.

“Nightmare, I have some notes!” His brother turned from the students’ homework he was marking. “You do?” He ran up to Dream and checked him. “Brother, what are you doing?” “Did Sans hurt you? Were you cut? Do you have any bruises?” “I’m fine, brother. He didn’t attack me.” "Well, that's good." Mr. Nightmare sighed in relief. "What did you get?" he asked. "Apparently Josh and Co. have been up to no good towards the brothers and a boy nicknamed 'Monster Kid'." "I guess they mean Jeremy." Mr. Nightmare concluded. "He's born with no arms, so not only Josh calls him that. Mrs. Toriel can't do much though." "Then we just have to keep going." Dream said, determined. "Yes, we should to get this to work, but before that, please do your homework!" the teacher scolded.

"Are y-you su-sure, sir? I-I don't m-mean to be of a-any trouble..." Ms. Alphys, Mr. Nightmare's assistant, asked. "I really need all the help I can get, Ms. Alphys. You are the only assistant I can get through to." Mr. Nightmare explained, the crunching of his boots on the snow getting louder. Dream and his two friends, Ink and Blue have asked all the students they know. He took care of the rest. Now, he must ask the main suspect.

His favorite student. 

Josh's favorite target. 

He stopped in front of the old wooden door.

So she still lives here.

He knocked on the door. Ms. Alphys beading with sweat from the nervousness.

A small boy around 5 years old opened the door.

"Hewo?"

Ms. Alphys looked at the boy. "Um, s-sir, you said t-that the person w-was a girl..." "She lives here. With her brother." the teacher towered over the little boy, the boy didn't even flinch.

"Mr. Nite?"

"Hey there, little fella." he smiled. "It's Mr. Night. Is your sister around?"

"Lynx don wan visit..." the kid mumbled.

"Why not?"

"She sick. Don wan other peopow." was the answer.

Mr. Nightmare barged into the house, alarming the boy.

"Ey!"

"S-sir!"

She was sick. She lay there on her bed, pale and sweating. Her face was red from fever.

She needs help.

Now. 

He rushed her to the hospital.

"Mr...Nightmare...?"

She woke up.

She is alright.

"The doctors say it's stress related. What happened?" Mr. Nightmare asked.

"...Josh."

"What?"

"He picked on me, He hurt me, He wants to hurt me."

"Tell what's going on." the Form teacher urged.

"They like to beat me up and call me names...They say I'm a freak and that my parents don't want me...that all I ever am is an adopted orphan..." Lynx started.

"You..."

"I tried to block the noise. They like to throw things at me. They throw stones and rotten food, sometimes even a tin can. The worst part is they call my brother retarded." she said, the words tasting bitter in her mouth.

"I work to earn enough money to support us. Be it begging on the streets or manual labour, I did it so we could survive. They call it 'Dirty Work', and that I belong in the trash..." her voice cracked.

"They call me stupid...and that I suck..."

Mr. Nightmare looked at her.

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

The hand that was recording notes stopped.

No. I would never think that of you. No one is stupid. 

"You're the smartest student I know."

.........................................................................................

Josh had been reprimanded and suspended, so were Nate and Matthew. The teacher-student brothers collected enough information to offer the headmaster and use it against them.

"See, brother? Now you know the  Power of Information!" Dream grinned.

"Sure do now. As a thank you, I'll treat you and your friends to ice cream."

Dream fisted the air.

"But..."

"But?"

"But before that, please do your homework!"