Nightmares

Nightmares are constructs created from corrupted dreamsand by Pitch.

Appearance
Nightmares are completely composed of dreamsand that has been corrupted by Pitch, completely black with a blue/violet shine in curling shapes across its body, and glowing, yellow eyes, giving them a menacing, angry glare to its features. They all have tassles flowing and curling from the back of their hooves and on its mane that curl and weaves continuosly.

Powers and Abilities
Much like in their purest form, Nightmares are capable of shapeshifting between its horse-like form and intangible sand, allowing them to travel through deep crevices or form into one, large mass of dreamsand to overwhelm any opposing force. Made from dreamsand, anyone who's sand becomes a nightmare experiences bad dreams. Pitch can control the Nightmares remotley, but they appear to show a level of sentience to act on their own.



Nightmares can be frozen solid with a well-placed ice blast (by Jack Frost), can disintegrate with a single blow of brute force and can be purified, either by direct contact with the Sandman and his attacks or by any child willing to face them. However, they make up for these weaknesses with sheer numbers, Pitch seemingly having an unlimited supply of them ready and waiting. Whether this means he can create them from scratch, gained this ability by absorbing Sandman or if he collected them over the years is not explained.

Personality
From their behavior and facial features, Nightmares act in a predatorial manner in whatever task they are sent for. They can "smell fear", becoming excited and compelled to attack the source of the smallest source of fear. Their service to Pitch does not seem to be based off any sort of loyalty, ready to turn on Pitch and drag him to his lair (closing the entrance behind him) as soon has his fear becomes the only fear available.

Despite being simple constructs of two different magics, Nightmares have been shown to show a limited display of emotions and intelligence. They have been show displaying confusion, suprise and even fear from Pitch. Pitch seems to be able to communicate with and understand them, conversing with his favored steed Onyx on his reconnaisance.

Role in the Crossover
Nightmares normally serve the same purpose in the fandom as they do in the movie; serve as minions for Pitch. Some writers like using Pitch's sand to corrupt some of the characters or create darker counterparts to do his bidding.