Somewhere in the third multiverse, far from where the trio was located, the exploration came close to an end.
Flying and gazing through the multiverse's unforgivable presence, Error, Ink, and Zeph rode on Error's Gaster Blaster as they passed through universes, millions of them, continuing to observe the sight they have been given, watching it closely but calmly as the breeze reminiscent like that of the high noon stroked past their bodies.
"You two, nothing out of the ordinary yet?" Error questioned as he was riding at the very front of the Gaster Blaster, piloting it carefully and swerving through any and all universal objects, wary to avoid any possible crash.
"Nah, everything seems just about right, in fact, everything just feels like the other two multiverses!" Ink responded casually with a hint of excitedness as he stood up, stretching out his arms as if trying to embrace the world before him Error only snickered for a short moment and smirked, for he thought Ink was still as foolishly childish as ever, though he could not help but turn his attention Zeph for a short moment, who was more quiet than usual as they stood on the opposite side where Ink was.
"Hey, Zeph, you alright? That meeting with your past self... Had to be one hell of a thing, huh?" Error said, speaking in the way he always did however noticeably being more proper in his tone, for he knew what it felt like to see the better and more blissful version of yourself... A past that would be long forgotten so long as they lived.
"That's not what I'm worried about, but thanks, Error," Zeph responded, heaving out a sigh which turned into a short-lived laugh coming from him as he turned around, in turn, caught Error's attention, for he thought Zeph was zoned out, thinking of past times, it seems he was dastardly wrong.
"Huh? Then what are ya worried about? Something you caught with your vision?" Error straightened his posture, now noticeably on guard as his eyes narrowed, his control on his Gaster Blaster became deeper as from his many experiences, he could tell there was already something wrong just from what and how Zeph told him, this had also grabbed Ink's attention, for the artist was quick to pull out their larger brush in a defensive position.
"It feels a little vague and... Even opaque if you could even call it that way but I swear I saw a universe dying somewhere off in front of us, Do you think you could go there and check?" Zeph said waringly and walked over to behind Error as he pointed in the forward direction, precisely leaning his finger on where he could see the ghastly presence.
"Hah, saw that coming from a mile away, alright, let's go!" Ink said with morbid curiosity as Error too could not help but grin, as unfortunate as it was for a universe to die undoubtedly so, and with such suddenness, finding out the cause, and possibly resolving it overshadowed such negativity.
With a spin of his brush, Ink slid over to the back of the Gaster Blaster then, pointing his brush forward he sent out a large burst of Ink, propelling the Gaster Blaster at the same time Error increased its speed, going far faster than before as now the wind caused their clothes to flutter along with it, glimmers of light appearing throughout their vision.
"...The only way this could have been caused is through a destroyer or a Worldline Collapse..." Zeph thought as he put his hands in his pockets before heaving out yet another breath.
"But the first should not happen yet so early, even with the time dilation, from what I've seen it only jumps to the very start of the universe's story, where everything will change from then on..."
"And the latter can only be caused through rare circumstances, usually taking a lot of retries or resets depending on the universe..."
"Or the interference of an entity outside the universe."
"...Well shit..."
"I hope it's not what I think it is, you three better be safe..."
Further into the third multiverse, where the dying presence could still be heard with its shallow and feeble force...
The three still remained there on that silent platform, Dust was still curled in that very same, still, yet fragile position, while Killer and Horror stood above him indecisive, as much as they wanted to assist Dust, all their attempts beforehand were shunned by a deadly silence, eventually to the point they realized they could only wait, but not know what for.
"Dust, we've gotta go, staying here will only make you more upset I'm guessing..." Killer heaved out a tired sigh, but not a hint of disappointment emerged from his voice as he was about to walk to Dust and bring him back up, however, they were intercepted by Horror, who stretched out his arm to Killer's way, confusing the latter as they both exchanged similar glares yet for opposite reasons.
"We don't need to rush him... Besides, the others should be looking for us now... They can help, they shouldn't be that far away... Especially with Zeph's sight," Horror insisted in a confident tone as Killer, though seemingly reluctant, eventually nodded as they took a step back in acceptance.
"Hey, and the fact we aren't falling to our deaths right now still means he's conscious and aware, so that's a plus... Right?" Horror commented before pointing down at the purple barrier they stood on, still intact and solid as it was beforehand, but though this remark was meant to uplift the quiet area, it was ultimately futile...
Then, without much of a warning, came next a whooshing sound dancing among the multiverse near where the three rested, like a rock skipping along water, a familiar Gaster Blaster, glitchy and unstable came into the vision of Horror and Killer, it seemed far but even then it was approaching quite rapidly, to which the two could not help but take a deep breath of relief as they turned to look at Dust, who also seemed to sense the others coming as his back slowly raised.
"Hey, you three! What the hell happened?" The distorted voice of Error emerged from afar, as he waved out his arm to get the attention of the three further while Zeph continued to stand behind him idly as he was, still strangely silent.
Unexpectedly, behind Killer and Horror's backs, Dust suddenly sprung back to life, getting up on one knee before quickly turning around, when the two peered over, hearing the sounds of the rustling of a jacket, they were met with Dust's shocked expression, and it seemed it was just that, not one of relief or sadness, but nevertheless the other three were now here as Error was precise to park his Gaster Blaster next to the barrier platform, as then, without so much of a sound, Zeph slowly took a step to Dust's direction, before kneeling down and offering a hand.
"We've got something to talk about when we're back in the Omega Timeline, is that alright with you... Dust?" Zeph spoke, smiling behind his mask as he stretched out his palm further, as Horror grabbed onto Zeph's hand, the latter pulling the skeleton up as did Killer shortly after, all that was left was Dust, who could only stand there, mouth closed, undeciding of what to do supposedly as their eyes remained vigilant.
"What're you waiting for, Dust?" Zeph said one more time, this time in an almost whispering tone, this finally managed to get through Dust's skull as the hooded skeleton shook its head, before finally gazing normally at Zeph.
"All I can say is, I'm not mad if it really is what I think it is."
"I just need the news, is all."
Later on, now within the confines of the Omega Timeline...
It was a relatively lonesome but relaxing day in the Omega Timeline, not many people were out socializing as they normally would, and some simply rested wherever they could, though it was understandable after the news of the third multiverse had been spilled to the Omega Timeline, undoubtedly, most people were in a sense of awe however comfort, as they thought there was no such threat any longer, oh how truly innocent could one be...
"So that's it... Eh?" Zeph spoke, his face looking down at the oak table he and Dust sat before on opposite sides, they conversed within The Grill, which even then was just as empty as the outside was, and the false light shined through the windows better than it did initially, the air was cold, and the wind was smooth.
"...I did it with Killer before, and a few others too, why is it that I failed this time?" Dust questioned as he rested his face on his hand, partially facepalming himself out of shame as Zeph looked up, staring at Dust, although for a moment, there was only bitter silence, it broke as Zeph let out a short snicker, which surprised even Dust as they slowly turned to gaze at Zeph.
"How many times will we have this talk?" Zeph casually said in a rather playful manner as he mounted his face comfortably on his open palm, only being met with a confused stare from Dust who leaned in closer, albeit vaguely so.
"But hey, I can't complain, can I? I tagged along willingly and I'll be staying willingly, and if it means being the therapist of our little group, so be it..." Zeph shrugged his arms slightly before beginning to speak once more.
"To be truthful, I don't think it was your fault. You did what you could, but much of what happened was beyond your control. You understand how to save people like you, but what about those you can't understand? Despite the risks, you stayed to help someone you were unsure about, a complete stranger... Heh, well... Whatever consequences you face, Dust, me, and everyone else are right here to support you for as long as we live, know that you tried your best, and hey, intent matters more than execution most of the time, you don't just fail yourself the moment you don't achieve something impossible... Even then, we've done our fair share of other impossible things, right? I mean... We're Outcodes; defying fate is what we do."
A faint glimmer sparked through the windows of The Grill, as eventually, more people began to flood into The Grill unanimously and coincidentally. Dust could only sit there idly, their face in a neutral expression. Still, it was frozen that way for so long Zeph could not help but let out a short laugh, for in that current scenario, he knew what that very expression met as if it were his right hand Dust heaved out a heavy sigh as they rested their head upon the table, their arms supporting as a cushion.
"Remember what I said about being both careful and careless? Well, I suppose you took it to heart..." Zeph spoke, in full attempt to make light of the situation, standing up as Dust barely lifted his head to stare at the masked man, as his legs were just about ready to leave and follow as well.
"Admittedly, it's quite crowded here now, so..."
"So why don't we go continue talking somewhere else safer?"
...
The Doodlepshere, exceptionally bright and full of color, portals to endless worlds of a potential growing past its ultimatum, fixed onto stray, floating, brown platforms that infinitely wander across the dimensional plane of milky yellow albeit slowly across its desolate home, the sound of a light ringing could be heard throughout the world of dream-like atmosphere, but then with this peaceful sound, came the unbearable biting and cracking of something along its many islands...
"...Dust..."
"...A man named Dust,"
"Drifted from beyond and came out severing a bond..." Mono muttered, sitting there in a stiff tailor position with his grin stretched unnaturally to the deepest corners of his lower face as his thumb was held against his teeth, as he bit into it repeatedly in a rickety sense, with such intensity and frequency it was as if blood was a river that repeatedly poured from the edge of Mono's teeth digging into his crimson thumb of dust and blood.
"...Indeed, you want him gone..."
"...Search for the man called Dust..."
"...Hunt him down, Mono..."
"...It is my will and yours..."
...
"But is this truly our end? Are these truly the final gates I have passed?" Said Mono in a reluctant tone as, with his blood-covered hands he clasped his skull in a curled up position as it seemed as though the lights across the Doodlesphere began to grow dimmer...
"Tell me, dear voice..."
"Shall I chase... Or continue to tread blindly?"
...
"...Nevermore..."
...