Ink's POV
I stand and look around. I seemed to be put in some kind of house. I was placed in the kitchen, roughly landing on the floor. I look around curiously. I wondered who was here, if anyone. What had even happened? I look around and found a door, nobody was found. I open it and it led to some place outdoors. I go outside and the sun welcomes me with its bright light. It seemed to be a place on the surface. I look to my left, only to see UnderSwap's Snowdin. I look to my right and see some AU's hotland. This seemed odd and broken. Like a collage of AUs. I try to use my brush to get out of here and find the others, but I couldn't travel through the paint strangely. I know this has to be a bad sign. I sigh and decide to explore.
As soon as I entered the hotland, a red string appears, tied around my index finger. The string extended, flowing through the air. It twisted and turned, loops and swerves, growing into the far distance. I decide to follow it. The hotland had a blue color scheme so the string stuck out.
"Hello?"I call
Wait! I can speak! I can speak! Hooray!
I got no answer though. I keep walking. Poor place seemed abandoned. I keep walking, following wherever the string may lead. I try to use my phone. No signal. Of course. I still try to call. I call Blue.
"Blue? Hello?"I say
"Ink! Hey! Thank goodness you called! I was starting to panic! Where are you? Are you okay?"Blue says from the other end.
"I dunno. I'm ok. Are you?"I reply
"Ya, but it seems some big collage of the AUs was made. I'm...I don't even know where. And some blue string appeared on my finger."Blue says, uncertainty in his voice
"Did you say blue string?"I ask
"Ya, why?"Blue asks
"I have a red string on mine. I'm following it right now. Odd....These strings seem to have meanings....Are you by a shelter?"I tell him
"A cabin is behind me."Blue states
"Stay there, Blue. You're in no condition to wander and get lost in a situation like this. Do not leave the cabin to follow the string. Unless there is danger, don't go. We'll figure this out and if you're lucky, someone on the other end of the string will come and help you. The cabin will be your safe area. Stay there and safe, k?"I order
"O-Ok, Ink. You stay safe, okay?"Blue says
"Will do, Blue. Bye."I say, then hang up
I keep walking but soon heard a voice yelling. My pace quickens. I know that voice. Then, I felt a yank on the string, which had wrapped around my wrist the closer I got. This alerts me that the other person must be close. I look around and spot Palette, a string around his finger that leads to mine. He looks at me, then smiles. We were on the bridge of hotland that often was used for Undyne chases in Undertale timelines. He came closer to me and hugs me, overjoyed to have at least someone with him now. The string disappears.
"Where'd you appear? I appeared on this bridge! Have you seen anyone else? Like Goth or Gradient?"Palette asks, worry hinting in his voice
"I appeared in some house. You're the first person I've seen. I have contacted Blue, but I can't contact anyone else."I reply
We talk and decide to head to the house I was sent to. As we were getting off the bridge, I hear a yell. Palette gives me a look to say he does too. We look to see what the yell is from or why. My eye-lights shrank or changed. I was shocked.
"What the-?"I exclaim
"Uhh...This is strange!"Palette states
Sprinkle flew through the air, landing roughing on the ground in front of us. He gets up and looks from the bridge. We follow his gaze to see a void-like ocean with another collage of pieces from AUs on the other side.
"Thanks for the lift!"Sprinkle yells
"Sprinkle, how'd you do that?"Palette asks
"Some pirates lost in an AU offered to get me over here with their cannon! They shot me through it and I saw you guys so I decided to land here instead!"Sprinkle says
"What do you mean instead? "I ask
"I saw so much up there! I was originally gonna go wherever this orange string takes me, but that's too far. I don't want to fall for a trap! Have any of you heard from Blue?"Sprinkle replies
"I called him. He's safe, don't worry, Sprinkle."I assure him
"Now let's get somewhere safe too!"Palette advises
We nod and I lead them back to the house. We go inside and each try to contact the others. I now try to call my brother or Error, but fail. Sprinkle managed to call Dust and learn that he's following an indigo string. Palette tries calling Dream or Paperjam, but that doesn't work out. Sprinkle, after looking around, recognized it as his house. Apparently, he made it in his timeline to be a hangout place for him and his friends. Palette then recieves a call. He quickly answers it. He was very quiet during the call and even went to another room. When the call ends, he came over to us.
"Sprinkle? Where do you keep the knives?"Palette asks
"Woah, what for?"Sprinkle asks
"That was Gothy on the call. Someone was chasing him and he was calling for help. We know how rare that is."Palette replies
"Doesn't he have a scythe?"Sprinkle asks
"He can't summon it wherever he is. So, I'm going to help. Nobody messes with my Goth."Palette says
"How are you gonna find him?"I ask
A grey string appears around Palette's index finger. He looks at it.
"I'll try the string!"Palette says
Palette summoned his paint roller, took a few knives and ran out of the house to follow the string. I look at Sprinkle. Sprinkle begins to chuckle. I was curious at Palette's wording and how quick he went from happy to protectively serious and hostile.
"Is that change in him normal? To go from happy to serious when it comes to Goth?"I ask
"Ya, it's kinda normal. They are best friends. I sense more than that, they seem to like each other but Palette insists that they're just best friends. Heh, I wonder if the string will help him."Sprinkle replies
"Ah, I see. Guess we will see. I wonder who yours leads to."I say
"Or you this time."Sprinkle says, pointing to my hand
I look to see a yellow string appearing and extending along the distance like before. I smile. The last string brought me to a friend, maybe these will reunite us all. I look at Sprinkle.
"Only one way to find out. I'll be back. You stay here until I do. Okay?"I tell him
"Got it."Sprinkle says
I head out to follow the string. It led me through the snowdin area. The string led me through it and up some steps. I was now standing in front of a door to some random house. Then I realize something. What if this a trap? A trick? Who is this even leading me to? I got a call from Blue. I answer.
"Hey, Blue! What's up?"I say
"You were right! I stayed and someone showed up! Two people actually. Dream and Cross arrived...How have you been doing?"Blue tells me
"Things are going ok. I've found Palette and Sprinkle. Palette went to help Goth. Sprinkle knows that Dust is following an indigo string. I'm following a yellow string right now. It seems that we're on mixed-up pieces of AUs, like little strips of paper with the void in between. Stay alert, you three. There seems to be danger still, someone is trying to get Goth and we're still struggling to find each other."I explain
"Got it. I gotta go, Cross is getting restless and wants to do what you told us not to. Bye, Ink."Blue says
"Cya."I say, then hang up
I tug at the string with my finger. It was caught between the door and door frame. Who could be in there? Then I watch something wonderous happen. The string sways at my tug and loops in the air to create a word. Error. I freeze up. He's here? Of all people, him? Just on the other side of this door. I lift my hand and gently knock on the door. I notice a peekhole on the door, but couldn't tell if anyone was looking through it. In case someone was, I smile and wave to show that I wasn't a threat. Soon as I did, my other hand with the string was yanked forward. I feel myself hit the door but I quickly step back before it would seem I was trying to knock the door down. The door opens slightly. I felt my face go rainbow. Not again!
"H-Hi...C-Can I h-hElP yoU?"Error asks, his face slight yellow and ears twitching
Stupid string! Did this string lead me to another Error! Shoot!
"Oh...Hiya...I uh, I'm sorry. I just followed this string and it led me here. Guess that was my mistake. Sorry to bother you. I'll go, leave ya to whatever you were doing."I reply, bowing my head in apology and pointing to the string around my finger
I turn and walk down the steps. I look and see the way I came. I sigh and begin to keep walking to return. This was a waste of time. I feel a strong pull on my finger from the string, yanking me backwards. I feel a hand grab mine. I look. It was a multi-color hand with a dark yellow string around the index finger. I was confused a bit but smile, knowing who had pulled me back now.
"InKy?"Error says
I look at him and see his nervous expression through the lenses of his glasses.
"Hi. Wait, are you my Glitchy? What do you know?"I ask
"I...I aM. We hAd jUst g0tTen BlUe aNd DreAm bAck fr0m bEing tAkEn witH hiS nEw buDs. DoN'T yOu rEcOgNiZe mE? YoU'Ve sEen mE wiTh mY glAsSeS bEfoRe."Error replies
"Well, with the AUs seemingly getting mashed up and split, I wasn't sure if you were some other AUs Error. And let's just say that the glasses aren't the only thing that seems different right meow. Sorry....But that was a revenge and hint for all the teasing puns you did."I tell him, realizin' the pun I made
"WhaT dO yOu meAn? I..."Error begins, but then went silent after feeling his head where the ears were.
His face went a bright yellow.
"PapErJaM!"Error yells inside
"Hah! Gotcha!"Paperjam yells, followed by laughing
"LeT's g0..He'Ll bE fiNe hErE."Error says, squeezing my hand
"Aww, leaving so soon? But Ink still hasn't learned your new secret that is shared with him!"Paperjam teases, his voice growing louder
"WhAt dO yOu-ACK!"Error yelps, getting shoved
He got knocked into me and I land on the ground with him on me. We both have our faces burning. Error digs his face into his scarf, his gaze away from me. His ears were low and his glitches were going wild. I didn't move, our hands tied together in the string, laying beside us. My other around his back while his was around me, his hand on my head. I see Paperjam now in the doorway, a proud smirk on him. I was silent. I then heard it. I heard Error purr. My eye-lights shrink. He climbs off of me and turns to Paperjam.
"I HaTe yOu! I'm g0NnA KiLL Y0U!"Error yells, charging at him
But in the process, he yanks me with him. I look at the string around our arms had gotten tangled and knotted. We were stuck. Error quickly realizes this as well. He crashes and begins to reboot.
"Ink, where'd ya come from?"PJ asks
"Another house. Sprinkle's hangout one apparently. He's there right now."I reply
"Ooo! I know it! Let's go!"PJ says, running ahead
I sigh, shaking my head. I scoop up Error while he reboots. I wenr after Paperjam, soon arriving at the house. I set Error down once he finishes rebooting. He looks at me and his ears perk, but then lower and his face returns to its yellow shade. Sprinkle comes to the doorway after Paperjam ran inside and kicking the door in.
"What happened to you both?"Sprinkle asks with a chuckle
"PAPERJAM."Error and I reply at once
Error looks at me, almost shocked, then looks away, seeming embarrassed again.
"Heh, that's PJ for ya. Don't worry, Error, anything he makes goes away after a bit. SO those ears will leave you. Ju-LOOK OUT!"Sprinkle states, yelling and quickly yanking us inside at the end
I see a giant knife just barely miss hitting my head. I duck down and it hits the roof. A string was attatched.
"WhaT tHe HeLl, CrOsS?!"Error yells, recognizing the weapon as well
Quickly, Dream slid across the string as if ziplining, hanging and balancing his rod to do so. Once he reaches land, he leaps down, his rod still held and landing in the doorway.
"Hi guys!"Dream cheers
I facepalm. They didn't listen.
"WhAt aRe yOu dOiNG? ThaT zIpLiNe aTtEmPt nEaRlY hUrT InKy! KnIfe t0 tHe hEaD & aLl!"Error snaps
"Whoops, sorry! Cross got a call from Paperjam to come, so we did. You both seem a bit tangled up."Dream says
"PJ!"Sprinkle yells
"AAAH!"I hear Blue yell
I look to see Blue zipline down the string, but not in the most comfortable way. He was hanging with his scarf tied to the string while still around his neck. He crashes into the roof. Sprinkle climbs up to untie Blue and his scarf from the string after getting to the roof.
"Ok, that was rough."Dream admits
"Ya don't say?"I ask sarcastically, aiding Blue for any injuries
Out of spite, Sprinkle took a knife out and cut the string. Next thing we knew, we watched Cross land face-first into the ground a few feet from the house. Sprinkle smirks. Blue went inside, not even glancing. PJ was inside still. Error shakes his head and Dream ran to help aid Cross. I remain neutral.
"That's what you get for giving Blue a rough way over! Also, next time you try something daring like that, try not something as dangerous as your knife! It nearly hurt Ink!"Sprinkle snaps
"Ack, noted! What's up with Error? You look pawsome dude! Though I think your own tool betrayed ya."Cross says
"Shut uP, CroSs."Error growls
We all head inside. With some help from Sprinkle, Error and I were freed from the string. I made sure to lock the front door. PJ could be heard getting yelled at by Glitchy. Dream, Cross and Sprinkle were trading info and talking. Blue was looking out a window, watching for trouble or if anyone else came. I stand beside him. I can tell he's worried despite his smile. That's when my phone begins ringing. I answer without even looking to see who it's from.
"Hello?"I call
"Brother, I made another mistake."My brother says from the other end
I sigh and facepalm, shaking my head. Blue looks at me confusedly. I signal him by lifting my hand above me to a Papyrus height who it is and he nods.
"What did you do now, Pap?"I ask
"I got very nervous about the situation and appeared in a Snowdin forest...Doesn't help that it's UnderFell's...I got some paints ready. And...Well...I heard a twig break and I threw the paint at the sound."Papy says
"And? That's self-defesnse. It's good in a situation like this!"I tell him
"It turned out to be Dust and well, I changed him. Was that wrong or childish?"Papy states
"Well, you were just being defensive so it makes sense. As long as he's ok, I'm sure it's fine. You were just doing what you could. Is anyone else with you?"I assure him.
"No, but there's lands below this forest. I think I may hop down to investigate. Are you ok?"My bro asks
"Ya, I'm ok. I've regrouped with Error, Blue, Dream, Cross, PJ and Sprinkle. Palette was here but went to help Goth, who was said to be in trouble."I tell him
"Ok,I'll call you later. Dust is waking up."Papy says, then hangs up
"What did he do this time?"Blue asks
"He got scared and blindly threw paint at a noise. It turned out to be Dust and he got knocked out. I could tell bro didn't mean to, so he's trying to help Dust and explore."I reply
"Ah ok. I hope they're ok."Blue says
"I'm sure they are, Blue."I assure him.
"Do you think my Papy is doing okay out there? I worry for him, with his hp and all."Blue wonders
"I'm sure he's okay as well, Blue. If I know anything about your brother, I can bet he's wondering the same about you." And look at you now, here and okay."I tell him
"I guess so."Blue sighs
There was a knock at the door. Who could that be? I go to the front door, but Blue stays at the window. I unlock the door and open it. There stood Swap!Pap himself. I smile, but was surprised and confused.
"Hi, Swap!Pap."I say
"Heya, Ink. Is this where ya all have been? Sent to?"Swap!Pap asks
"Some of us are here. I was sent here, the other just came or we found each other. Error, PJ, Cross, Dream, Sprinkle and Blue are here. Palette was here but he ran off to help Goth. How'd you get here?"I explain
"I had a little help."Swap!Pap says
"Hi, Ink!"Gradient says, peeking out from behind Swap!Pap
"Ah, I see. Come on in! PJ has been worried about ya, Gradient. And Blue has been worried about you, Swap!Pap."I says, letting them in
Gradient runs to find Sprinkle and PJ in the house while Swap!Pap stays with me. I lead him to Blue, who was still staring out the window. I see Swap!Pap's face get brightened by a joyous grin. He sneaks up behind Blue and hugs him.
"Heya bro! Do not fear, brother! I am here for the Magnificent Sans!"Swap!Pap says
"Brother!"Blue cheers, a smile lighting up his face
The two begin to talk and they seem so happy. At least now Blue was happy with his bro again. I sat in the dining room, thinking. Where could the others be? What could happen? Are Palette and Goth ok? They've been gone a while now...I wonder where Change is in all this...
Crash!
"The hell?"Error yells
Everyone's attention was quickly brought to the crashing sound, coming from outside. I get up and curiously go outside to investigate while everyone give each other uncertain gazes. I look around and see a familiar face.
"Paps?"I call
He turns and looks at me.
"Hiya bro! Told ya I was gonna explore the land below me! Good to see ya!"My brother says, smiling
"We heard a crash! Is everything okay?"I ask
"Yep! Just had a rough landing."He replies
That was the only thing I got to ask because the others came out and began curiously questioning him about the noise and where he's been. Cross, Dream, Gradient and PJ went inside once they got their answers. This left Error, Sprinkle, Swap!Pap and Blue with me and my brother. I noticed he had a hand behind his back.
"Ink said you ran into an incident with Dust. Is he ok? What kind of paint did you use?"Blue asks
"He bEtTer bE."Glitchy mutters
"Did he run off after the attack or follow you?"Sprinkle adds onto the quuestions
My brother was silent. He then begins to chuckle. We each look at each other, lost on what could be so funny. Swap!Pap paces a bit, watching Ink!Pap, then smirks and chuckles a bit himself before going inside without a word. Blue looks at me and shrugs, not knowing what his brother had caught onto. The two Paps knew something.
"He's ok. I didn't use any hurtful paints unless I had needed them to be. He couldn't really go anywhere, Sprinkle. And let's just say...hm....He has a wittle pwoblem."My bro says with a tease in his voice
He brings his arm out from behind his back to show Dust on his arm. Dust is now very small, like someone from the PJ's Daycare or Babybones AUs. He had his hood pulled over his face, his eyes just barely peeking out. Dust's face was blushing brightly. He was looking away at the ground. My bro wraps his arms around Dust to support him and Dust grips his scarf. Error chuckles.Ink!Pap's face lights up from chuckling.
"Shuddup."Dust mutters, his voice even changed to a squeaky childish pitch
"Aww, I see what ya mean, Ink!Pap!"Sprinkle says
"Heh, I didn't even know I had paints to do this! Guess he's a lil guy now!"My bro says
I said nothing so that Dust won't attack me later if he gets the chance. Error couldn't stop chuckling. Blue hasn't said a word, he was just gazing curiously. Good thing too because Dust got real angry real quick.
"O-Ok!"Ink!Pap complies
The bone attacks disappear. Dust squirms out of my brother's hold and drops down to the ground. Ink!Pap let out a sigh of relief. Dust walks up to Error, gazing up at him with a glare. Error quickly stops laughing.
"Since when did ya get those, Error?"Dust asks
"WhEn I wAs pUt iN s0mE raNd0M plaCe oF tHis chAoS wiTh trOubLeSoMe PJ."Error replies, tucking his face in his scarf
Glitchy clearly didn't like the topic.
"I must caution all of you that the paint that I hit him with is still fresh. So if he touches you, I think the effect will happen to you as well."Paps states
Dust's eye-lights lit up. Sprinkle ran inside to probably relay the news and to hide from Dust's wrath. I could see a mischievious idea forming by the look in Dust's eye lights. He hops, slapping Error's hand. There was a bright light and I look at Blue. He and I both knew that's exactly what Dust needed for revenge.
"Who's laughin now, Error?"Dust asks proudly
"S-Shut uP, DuSt!"A squeaky, glitchy voice snaps in response.
Ink!Pap was now chuckling. Blue's eyes became stars. A squeaky laugh could be heard, and I guees it's Dust's since Error wouldn't be laughing right now. Surely not
I look to see a shorter, smaller Error now. He was the size of Dust now, equal in their childish size. Error had his face, which was bright yellow now, hidden beneath his scarf. His ears were low and he pushes his glasses up. he grips an arm nervously, not looking at anyone and his glitches swarming him as usual.
"Aww, Error! You look purrfectly awww-dorable! Don't you agree, Ink!Pap?"Dust says with a teasing tone
My bro stops chuckling.
"No comment. Don't bring me into this. I ain't getting in trouble by his bro, whenever he shows up."Ink!Pap says
"DuSt! ShUt uP!"Error snaps
"Aww, ok. Blue? Ink? What do you both think?"Dust continues, looking in our direction
I was silent but felt myself jolt at the sway of attention focus. I look at Blue, who seems caught off-guard as well. I look back at them to see Error gazing at me, his face bright and eye-lights big and shining. I felt my face warm but lift my scarf. I know that I would agree with Dust, but I also know how Dust would react and continue to tease Error. I didn't want that for him. Glitchy seems to be teased enough already. I didn't even get a chance to reply anyway. Blue beats me to speakin.
"Well, I dunno about Error, but you look adorable!"Blue admits
"W-What?"Dust exclaims
Error falls down laughing. Dust and Blue's faces were bright.
"T-T-The taBlEs hAvE tUrNeD oN yOu!"Error cheers through laughs
Blue walks over and picks Dust up. Blue clearly didn't turn and my bro took note of it.
"I guess gloves keep the effects away."He mutters
"Come on, Dust. Let's go inside. We need to figure this situation out."Blue says
Dust nods and hops to Blue's shoulder-pad. I could see his eye-lights glow, some of this leaving a trail that forms a heart. Blue doesn't seem to notice, he was happily talks to Dust as they walk inside.
Ink!Pap follows them inside. I look at Error. He's slowly calming down from laughing. I kneel down to him. He gazes at me nervously. He stops laughing. He continues to hide his face in his scarf. His glasses were slipping as he sits up. I gently nudge the glasses up again and I saw his face light up again.
"You ok, Glitchy?"I ask
"I...dUnNo hOw To fEel aBoUt tOdaY."Glitchy says, tucking his glasses away.
"Aww, I get it. Now, we should probably go inside. We don't want trouble to get us while we're all scattered like this."I suggest, picking him up
"O-Ok."Glitchy stutters
I get back up with him in my arms, like my bro held Dust. I smile. He looks up at me and I wink without saying anything. His face lights up brightly. He looks away, but I could hear him purring. His grip on me tightens and his face brightens the more he purrs. I feel my face brighten. I smile still and head to the front steps, my gaze still on him.
"StoP sTaRiNg!"Error cries
"Aww, fine. I'll continue stargazing later."I say
"StArGaZiNG?!?"Error repeats
"Well, your face is so bright that you look like a star. Then again, you are as special as one, Glitchy."I tell him
He looks at me, his face brightening in yellow. He then looks away, his eyes shut.
"ShudDuP, InKy."He mutters, followed by a purr
"Okay."I sigh with the grin never leaving
The door flies open. I look to see Paperjam there.
"Guys! Get in here! Gradient found something!"Paperjam orders
"Ok, coming."I say, following him inside where he slams the door behind us
"Sprinkle, get Palette over here! We need him! It's urgent!"Paperjam snaps at Sprinkle, who was sharpening one of the knives
"Ok!"Sprinkle says
Everyone else was around the house, talking or aiding each other with something. I could hear the urgency and serious tone of Paperjam's. He leads us upstairs to a seemingly abandoned room. I look at Error, who was still in my arms. He looked as surprised as me. Paperjam wasn't acting goofy at all. This had to be urgent and serious. Paperjam stood in front of the door to the room, which had shut as soon as we came.