Ink's POV
No! Not again! I should've met up with Error before I went to OuterTale! I shouldn't have broken Blue's buddy system! Wait, focus! I won't be so easy to take down or use this time! I'll fight harder! No matter what it takes!
"Hey, idiots. I got him. Now, can you take him? I got a gang to lead and chaos to cause."Nightmare snaps
"Sure. I'll take him. Destroy as many AUs as you can."Renew says
Nightmare tosses me over to Renew and quickly leaves without another word said. I jump back from Renew, quickly clenching my fists. They will not use me again. I will not be used again. I will not be like a puppet laying in Error's strings, but for them. I noticed Renew now wore a grey cloak.
"Come here, Ink. We have things to do."Renew says, then lunges at me
"No! I won't be your little servant! I won't do anything for you!"I yell, dodging and quickly finding myself against the wall
"Oh? And what are you gonna do, shortie? We've done this dance all before."Renew says with a cocky tone, closing in
"Ya, but I was knocked out then. I'm awake now. And I've learned more fighting than just using a brush. Now, this is for my Broomie."I snap, kicking them
"This is for my friends, for Error, and everything you've done!"I yell, punching and kicking each time.
I fell back and feel the back behind me. Renew just continued to come, though was slightly wounded. I then realize that I've hit the hood mainly or cloak instead of them. I realize I'm cornered. I begin to plan something. I turn and run up the wall.
"Now this is for freedom!"I shout, leaping off the wall and punching Renew across the face
(drew this myself)
I feel myself land roughly after knocking Renew down. I get up and quickly felt myself get grabbed. Renew mutters angrily to themself.
"Hey! Let me go! Don't make me make you regret this!"I demand
"Oh, I believe it is vice versa. Because I'm making you regret your little riot. Now open wide."I hear Change's voice snap at me
I freeze up, feeling their grip tighten. I knew what Change could do and they would not hesitate to do anything. I kept my mouth shut tightly. Then I felt Change twist one of my arms behind me until I felt it start to crack. The same arm that was trying to heal. I knew Change or Renew must've done it to him while he was in my body. I could feel the pain he must've felt the more they twisted. Soon I couldn't take it. I let out a yell of pain and quickly felt something get shoved in my mouth. My legs gave out beneath me and my body went numb.
"Good Ink. Now, let's get you to your temporary room. You'll even have some room buddies!"Change says with sinister joy that told me that they were planning something
They drag me down this hall that lacked windows or really any light. There was the creaking of a door and I was thrown into a dark room. Change smirks.
"Enjoy your current room, Inky! Say hi to your new buds! Hah, learned that name from Nightmare's insights. We'll be back soon to make you three worth some service to us."Change says before walking back the way they came
I sat there, gently holding my injured arm, thinking. The door turned back to a wall soon enough, making escape difficult without my brush. I'd be an idiot to try and punch my way through. I couldn't even win alone against them. I'm at a disadvantage and outnumbered. I sigh, knowing I'll just have to wait.
"They got another one, PJ."one voice says
"You've got to be kidding me. Well, better than being here, alone, don't ya think Gray?"a second says
"True."the first agrees
"Huh?!"I exclaim, forgetting there were mentioned others here.
I turn around as my eye-lights adjust to the darkness. I see two skeletons sitting on the floor a few feet away from me. They were back to back, one with their back turned to me in that sense. The one facing me glanced at me with this unsure gaze. They must be some other multiverse characters those kids took with Nightmare's help. I gaze at them, unsure of they're friendly or hostile. For all I know, those kids threw some bad guys in here before me to cause some more trouble. But, they didn't seem to be looking for trouble. They seemed unsure and scared as well. While strangely reminding me of Error with their dark skeleton color.
(first time drawing Paperjam and Gradient)
"T-They seem nervous. Scared even."The one gazing at me, the first voice's owner, tells the other
"Doesn't that make three of us? Glad they can join us. That means they may not cause any trouble."The second says, their back still to me
The first nods. They gaze back at me curiously.
"Let's go introduce ourselves already."They say impatiently
"Okay."The second says, finally turning
The two begin to come over to me. I inch backwards nervously, until I was pressed against the wall. They pause right in front of me.
"H-Hi. You must be 'Inky'. Do not fear us please, we're just as scared as you probably. It's okay. I'm Gradient."The first says
"I'm Paperjam. You can call me PJ, most do. Is that really your name or is it just some joke of those idiots?"The second says
I was silent, thinking for the moment. Inky is a nickname, therefore a name that I'm called often. Plus I just met these two and don't know what kind of people they are. Best to go with the nickname.
"I-Inky is my name. It's nice to meet you both."I say nervously
"So, what did they do to you? They tried to give Gradient here a control chemical but they only removed his error signs. They gave me one but it only disabled one of my defense abilities. Stupid kids and black tentacle dude."Paperjam says
"What AU do you belong to? Nice ears by the way!"Gradient wonders
My eyes widen.
"E-Ears? I don't belong to an AU. Well, they took me like I'm guessing they did to you. They hurt my arm badly, shoved something in me and threw me in here."I explain, though tilt my head in confusion.
"You don't? Neither do we! Yes! We already have something in common!"Paperjam cheers
"Cool. Ya, you have some fluffy animal ears. Why do you sound so surprised? Wait! That must be the mistake in their substance!"Gradient exclaims
I was silent. I felt my face burn. What quickly came to my mind was Error getting animal ears and turning into a cat. Were they trying to do that with me now? Or something else? I felt myself begin to panic and knew what would happen next. Not wanting to freak my new buddies out, I quickly took a vial for my calmness out and had two drops. I then put it in my sash.
"Ooo! You have a tail too! Cool!"Paperjam says
"Let me help your arm there."Gradient says, then bandages my injured arm
They seemed nice so I begin to trust them. I thank Gradient for aiding me, but was nervous about the situation despite it. I think they could see that. They came and sat beside me. Gradient places his hands, that look a lot like Error's I noticed, on my arm and smiles. Paperjam puts an arm around my shoulder and grins.
"It's okay, Inky. We'll protect each other. AU outsiders! Besides, aren't three skulls better than one?"Paperjam says, joking to brighten things up
I couldn't help but laugh. They were so sweet and comforting to me. I smile and thank them for making things seem better. I didn't feel alone or as scared. I was with new buddies. I felt safe strangely now.
(drew this myself, inspired by neko Ink)
We talk for a bit and I enjoy this time. I hear through the wall some violent noises. I hear exploding noises and yells. This freaked me out greatly and I look to Gradient and Paperjam, who seem to have not heard anything. Something told me that there may be trouble occuring or will occur. I leap up and run to the farthest corner from the wall, dragging the two by the hands with me.
"W-What are you doing?"Gradient asks
"Is something wrong?"Paperjam asks
"I heard violent noises from the other side of that wall. Either something's going down or will go down. I don't want any of us to get hurt because of it. Just stay over here."I explain, sitting down again
"Got it! We'll protect you, Inky! You're hurt unlike us, plus those kids seem set on hurting you! We got ya!"Paperjam says
"Ok. Good point."Gradient mutters
They both sit and cross their arms over me protectively. Gradient wraps them around me, shaking. I could tell he was scared, while Paperjam seemed calm or nervous in the very least. The noises continue. We stay in the far corner, not daring to go near it. They even lifted my scarf over my head to protect it as well as my new ears like a helmet. I stare at this wall, listening to every bit that I could. The yells were muffled, so I couldn't hear what they were saying or recognize the voices. But what made us all tense up was when the noises stop. A silence fell. I look at each of them and they look back at me, clearly freaked out. They close in on me more, protectively and worriedly blocking me from any possible attacks that may come. The wall was blown open with a blast, most definitely from a Gaster Blaster. The bits of the wall and the blast just barely missed us, landing and hitting the wall inches from Gradient's right side. He pressed against me closer, his eye lights small and terrified at this fact.
A figure appears in the opening of where the blast tore through. There was light now from the battle, causing there to only be a silhouette. I couldn't see anything about them, but Paperjam's and Gradient's grip on me told me that they were uneasy. This made me uneasy as well. I watch the figure turn to face us, then walks up to us. They stare at us and summons a bone attack in their hand. I could now see their eye-lights and details of their appearance.
It was Error.
"LeT hIm gO. HaNd hIm oVeR, yoU tWo. NoW!"Error orders
"No way! You're just gonna hurt him! We won't let you!"Paperjam snaps
"No."Gradient denies
"ThE haRd wAy iT iS tHen."Error says, raising the bone attack.
"Error, wait! Stop!"I exclaim, breaking away from their grip to get up and block him from them.
I felt my scarf slide down and back into place. I saw his eye-lights shrink. His face went yellow. I froze but stood my ground, blocking the two from Error, no matter how much he stared or how much I could feel my face was burning.
"InKy, wHaT dId tHeY dO tO y0u? Did tHeSe tWo dO iT? ArE yOu Ok? Did tHeY hUrT yOu? I'Ll kIlL tHem iF tHeY dId! I-I'lL-"Error asks
"Error, it's fine. They did not. I'm ok. Change hurt me, but these two did not. Please don't hurt them. They're good. They're nice. They helped me. I think those troublesome kids were trying to make us serve them with chemicals, but instead did this as well as change or disable something with them. Now, put the bone attack now, Glitchy."I explain
Error lowers the bone attack. His hands were shaking as much as his eye-lights. He then reaches out, grabbing my arm and pull me close. I feel him kiss my cheek and then shyly place me beside him before releasing me. I felt my face brighten and I cover my mouth, feeling as if I was gonna do something I didn't want to do, knowing it would freak them out. But, I still heard myself do it. It was muffled at low, but I had purred.
"Ya sAy sOmeThInG,InKy?"Error obliviously asks
"N-No! Nothing, Glitchy."I reply nervous and defensively
He gave me a suspicious look then nods and shifts his gaze back to the two. I let out a sigh of relief. I was glad he didn't hear it or suspect it. I look at Paperjam and Gradient again.
"So wHo aRe tHeSe tWo?"Error asks
"Gradient and Paperjam."I reply, gesturing to each when I said their name.
"AnD thEy dIdn'T hUrT yOu?"Error asks
"Us? Hurt him? What, are you checking to see if we did what ya wanted to before you or something?"Paperjam snaps
"No, I'm jUst aSkInG hIm a qUeStIoN. AnD I doN't wAnt t0 hUrT hIm aNyWaY."Error says
"Sure you don't."Paperjam says with a shake of his head
"They did not."I state to keep the two from arguing
"OkaY, gOod. HmMm, yoU. CoMe hEre."Error says, pointing to Gradient
Gradient seemed surprised but he hesitantly got up and came over as told. The two whisper to each other, not loud enough for either of us to hear. Error smiles.
"ComE oN, kId. We'Re gEtTiNg yOu oUt oF hErE."Error tells Gradient
I smile, glad at least those two were getting along from what it seemed. I saw that Paperjam was still sitting there. He sat and stares at the ground, seeming down. Was Error gonna bring him too? He seems busy talking with Gradient. I went over to Paperjam and reaches my hand out to him.
"Come on. Take my hand. You're getting out of here as well."I tell him
He looks up in shock.
"You're....helping me? Taking me with you?"He asks
"Of course! Why wouldn't I? You're very nice and you helped me as well as Gradient. I don't see any reason not to."I reply
"Oh! I come from a timeline where you and Error are still enemies and well, ya both left me."Paperjam states
"Well, I guess that's an alternate timeline, cause I'm not gonna do that. Now, come on."I say, giving a welcoming smile
"Hey, PJ! This timeline doesn't have them as enemies! This Error is crushing on Inky!"Gradient shouts
"Sh-ShuT uP!"Error snaps
Paperjam chuckles. He takes my hand and smiles. I help him up and he calms himself. He then gives me a sly grin.
"You purred, didn't you?"Paperjam whispers
I feel my face glow. I was busted.
"D-Don't tell him, o-okay?"I tell him
He nods with a grin.
"OkAy, lEt's gEt oUtTa hErE bEfoRe sOmeOnE cOmeS tO cAuSe tRoUbLe."Error says
I feel a hand grab mine and jolt. I look to see Error holding it. He smiles. Gradient was behind me. I nod and we exit the dark room. Error opens a portal and we hop through. Blue came over to me quickly and hugs me.
"Thank goodness you're ok! I'll get to work on your brush! But...who are these two? Also you may want to hide your ears and tail. Here, you were only gone for eight hours and I've heard you lost a bet so Dream still is empowered by the code. And I think we both know what he may try with the ears and tail."Blue explains.
"Oh cOme oN. WhaT's tHe wOrSt tHaT gLowStIcK cAn d0?"Error asks
I look at Error and shrug with a shake of my head.
"I dunno, but it's better not to risk it from what I've seen with him. Blue, this is Gradient and Paperjam. They were also taken by the kids."I say
"Ah ok. E!Pap has food ready and luckily he made extra. You both like spaghetti, right?"Blue tells us
"E!Pap..?"Gradient repeats
"Spaghetti?"Paperjam says
"Oh, ya. You wouldn't know him would you? Error!Papyrus, or E!Pap. He's Error's brother and loves to make spaghetti. Warning, he's-"Blue explains
"Br0tHeR! You'Re bAck!"E!Pap yells, quikcly running and hugging Error
"Gah! YeS, I'M baCk, PaPs. ToO tIghT!"Error exclaims, error signs covering his vision
"-a hugger. E!Pap, this is Gradient and Paperjam, they were taken by you-know-who and Error brought them back here with Ink. Do you want to introduce them to spaghetti?"Blue finishes
"TheY wEre tAkEn aS wElL? ThEy'Ve nEveR haD sPagHeTti? YoU bOth mUst bE sTaRvInG! CoMe alOnG yOu bOtH!"E!Pap says, dropping Error before grabbing Gradient and Paperjam
"Hey, my signs are back!"Gradient exclaims as error signs appear around him
"Heh, thanks, Error!Papyrus. You don't have to."Paperjam says
"Oh plEaSe! CalL mE E!PaP, PaPeRjAm! AnD oF cOuRsE I dO! It'S tHe rIgHt tHiNg tO do, sIlLy!"E!Pap cheers, then runs off while picking the two up as if it were nothing
"Come on, I'll get you to your brush. Maybe there's something that can be done."Blue says
I nod, then notice Dust leaning against a wall and had watched the whole thing unfold. Dust had this sly smirk on his face.
"Have you and Dust spoken yet?"I ask
"That is not a concern right now. Let's get to my room to fix your brush, check that arm and your condition!"Blue says, dodging the question
"Ok, but answer my question at least in there."I agree
"Hey, Error, can I speak with ya for a sec?"Dust asks
"Ok."Error says, getting up with his vision clearing
I head down the hall quickly with Blue. I didn't know or remember a lot of this new base, but Blue did since he had apparently visited it a few times while Dream made it. I enter his room with him to find the pieces of my brush laying on the floor. Pieces were put together like the pieces of a puzzle. But none of them were completely together. I knelt down and began piecing the brush back together. Blue helps me, while talking. I explained what happened and he told me what I missed. He nods and according to him, I didn't miss much. Everyone had finished having E!Pap's spaghetti and were talking casually together. He had some small chat with Dust but they both sounded too nervous to talk about the kiss or their feelings for each other. Dream had called Dust over while E!Pap had called him over. E!Pap was wondering where Error was or what buddy system he had while who knows what Dream wanted with Dust. Moments later I had arrived with Error, Gradient and Paperjam from there.
Once we finished telling each other our sides of the story, we had almost finished making the brush fixed. I had by back to the door, cause I thought Blue had locked. The. Freaking. Door! I was wrong. Big time. The door was kicked in and I turn to see Dream standing there.
"There you are Ink! Wait, so that's what I heard E!Pap talking about! That gives me an idea!"Dream says
"Dream, don't you dare try to make him do anything!"Blue orders
"Oh relax, I wouldn't do that to a friend."Dream says
"You tricked Dust into kissing Blue out of jealousy just so you could use the code."I point out
"You what?!"Blue exclaims
"Ya, I'm just gonna go with Ink now. Cya, Blue."Dream nervously says, grabbing my wrist and yanking me out of the room
"Dream you get back here this instant!"Blue says as Dream slams the door behind him in a rush