p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"uspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"Chapter 29- Fallen Angel/span/u/em/strong/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanEverything was eerily silent. Though I knew they were nearly soundless, my every step seemed as loud as ice cracking. On I wandered, deeper into the desolate wasteland—alone./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt was cold, the powder I walked on. It lazily drifted down like snow and sprinkled my clothes with a fine grey coating. I brushed a layer off my shoulder, feeling tense. I'd never found the space ash of OuterTale unsettling, but today, it looked a bit like dust./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIn this Universe, after the war against humanity, monsterkind had been banished to the galaxies instead of the Underground. Comet and Astro, the Sans and Papyrus of the world, were old companions of the Star Sanses. Ink and Dream visited often, and by extension, so did I. The brothers were exceptionally hospitable and kind, and had even come to call emme/em "friend."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFor their sake, I was glad they were unaware of the delicate, dangerous plan unfolding on their very turf. It might decide the fate of us all./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWestward bound, I headed away from Stardin town. Ahead, the raised rim of the perilous impact zone loomed. I soon found a gap in the porous walls. Narrowly scraping through, I cautiously slid down the steep, craggy canyon. Ash and gravel skittered past as I landed. After kicking a few pebbles from the inside of my slippers, I turned and continued my trek into the barren wilderness./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI supposed the landscape was equivalent to the thick, frozen pine forest I once patrolled for humans. Wandering stars and mangled asteroids were all that decorated the landscape, however, so it was a far-cry from home./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI could still sense my follower, dangerously close on my trail. I couldn't decide whether to be reassured or nervous. I quickened my pace, hoping to put a bit more distance between us. One misstep, and it would all be over. There was no turning back, now. It was Blueberry or bust./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI grinned to myself, oddly calmed by the obscure, simple memory. "Mars or Bust" was a famous human saying, wasn't it? I could still vividly recall Papyrus's and my first Christmas with Gaster. Despite how unfathomably busy he was as the Royal Scientist, he'd devoted his one weekend off to making the holiday special for us./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe'd haphazardly climbed the porch awning and roof to string up lights, (which remained to this day), dug up a young spruce for us to decorate, (which ended up planted lovingly in the backyard, as did all following years' trees), and baked a sugar cream pie, (which was a delicious disaster)./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe'd been teaching me all about recognizing constellations, or "star chasing," as he called it. Eight-year-old me had declared I wanted to be an astronaut, more than anything. Gaster apparently took this little dream to heart. Years later, I learned that he'd dug through the garbage heaps in Junk Falls nightly, for weeks on end… to joyously present me with a patched up, plastic astronaut helmet and a "MARS OR BUST" t-shirt on Christmas morning./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanContrasted with the months of terrifying uncertainty I'd endured, despite everything I'd lost, discovering that helmet beneath the colorful wrapping paper felt like paradise. I'd never felt as treasured and valued as I did in that moment. I wished G. could see me now, beneath the stars he'd longed to see. He would have loved it here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUp ahead, a distant em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"crunch /emspan style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"and warbled voice interrupted /spanmy cherished memories. emthis is it. /emClinging to the courage the memory had brought, I quickly took shelter behind an outcropping of craggy rocks. With my back pressed against the stone, I cautiously inched onwards. Soon, I could hear rhythmic footfalls and hitching murmurs. Closer still. I ran out of rock to hide behind. Tentatively peeking around the edge, I quickly located the source of the noise. Nearby, pacing and muttering, was Error./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanOuterTale, according to Ink, was the only universe Error tolerated. He never attacked it, despite how often he'd been glimpsed sulking beyond the edge of the town. Ink theorized the silence helped to clear the Destroyer's tangled thoughts whenever a plan went awry, or when Nightmare abandoned him mid-mission. Indeed, Error seemed particularly agitated. Straining to hear, I just made out his murmurings./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"… cAUseD suCh A rApiD dEcLiNe?" A few words were lost in static. "…FeW dAYs. I'vE dOnE eVeRytHiNg. EvERytHInG! I seARcHeD EvEryWHerE…" Unintelligible. "THAt LaSt hAuL ShoULD hAVe hELPed, BUt…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"emFocus," /emforesight whispered. I glanced around. There, a stone's throw away, was another asteroid. It was wide enough to hide me, and the closest choice I had. Taking a minute to judge the distance and count Error's paces, I frowned. Could I make it?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThough not impossible, flying in the thin air of OuterTale was exceedingly difficult. The fluttering wings would make far too much noise. I was better off on the ground. I wasn't sure if the dash was a reasonable risk to take… but I didn't see any other way. emthis is my chance./em Crouching low, taking a breath to calm my nerves, I got ready for the sprint… waited for my opportunity… and—!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"I bolted. I was so frantically focused on picking my footfalls, I didn't even dare to blink. Safety was within reach, when—one of my steps crunched down a little too hard in just the wrong place—Error whirled. My soul seized up as our gazes met. A spark of recognition flashed in the Destroyer's face, and his expression twisted hatefully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"emSeRIf! /emOh, emY/emoU'RE emsO/em goNnA…!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanError didn't bother to finish his threat. An enormous black blaster formed and fired a beam of blazing photons. I leapt out of the way, gulping at the gaping, smoking hole in the ground. Rolling under the outcrop ahead, I braced for the strike. A rigid spike of threads shattered the stone into a million sharp shards. I barely managed to deflect them from beneath my shield. The hastily summoned protection field was cracking. I dropped it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSummoning attacks of my own, I raised my hand and took battle stance, but was forced to dodge a torrential hail of bones before I could aim mine. My attacks dissolved. More strings sliced my way. I abandoned the defense and ran./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUp ahead was a ravine. The opposite side was slanted. If I could make the jump, I could slide down into the crevice, out of Error's range! I made a dash for it. Panic spurred my steps. A projectile impaled my footprints, barely missing me. My soul was pounding so fast and hard I was seeing swirling stars in the corners of my sight. emjust a bit further…!/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI reached the edge and leapt, desperately grabbing for the far ledge—threads lashed around my ankle. I was yanked down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanError jerked the strings skywards, narrowly preventing me from hitting the ground. Flailing, I frantically tried to form a shield to slice the bonds. But even as the gold flickered before me, more threads wrapped my arm, fingers to shoulder, and coiled around my chest. The magic snuffed out. Within seconds, I was completely ensnared. Error held me, writhing in terror, a few yards in the air. There was no escape./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ink, dream—!" I gasped, "emhelp!" /emError laughed darkly at my desperate antics; an elated grin spread across his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ThEy CaN'T heAr YoU cLEarLy fRoM oUTsiDE tHiS uNIvERse," he informed me gleefully. "I'm SurPRIsEd InK LeT yOU oFf yoUr LeASh, LittLe CanARy. DoN'T yOU kNoW it'S dAngERoUs tO flY AlOnE?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSnap./span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"The wings snapped out. I thrashed desperately, uselessly trying to gain altitude in the thin air. Error scoffed at my squirming and sent more strings to bind my kicking legs. The ones across my shoulders tightened, and a rigid blue spike formed. I cringed back as it came closer. The threads tapped my forehead threateningly, drew back, took aim—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA distant yell split the silence. Error hesitated, snarling in the direction of the noise. Comet was on his way, alarmed by the sounds of battle. My follower must have set him on my trail. Kicking harder, I opened my mouth to shout for help when Error whipped a tight cord around my neck./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ScReAM aND yOU'LL nEvER sPEaK aGAiN," he growled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI remained silent, but continued to struggle. My slipper went flying. I distractedly wondered if it would be found. The sounds of racing footfalls and calls were drawing nearer. Error turned a new, flashing gaze on me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"HmM," he mused darkly, glare slithering into a smirk. "ReMEMBeR tHe fiRst tiMe wE diD tHiS sONG anD dANce… em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"tOy?/em" I gasped to cry out—too late—as Error teleported me away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe portal ride, though jerky and disorienting, was mercifully brief. I paused my squirming to glance around. I was in the Anti-Void, in Error's base. Blank, lightless white stretched in all directions, ceiling to floor, with nothing but vague shadows to show the boundaries./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAll about, primary blue strings draped from unseen heights. Hanging from many was an array of jackets, shoes, and sweaters. Unspeakable dread filled my soul as my gaze reluctantly dropped to the ground. My eyelights were reduced to mere pinpricks at the sight of scattered bloodstains and piles of dust. They littered the floor beneath the ripped clothes, and I remembered— em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;""I'm loOKing for a NeW toy. my LAst one bRokE."/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"Panic brought me new strength. I thrashed, helpless to escape the strings but still desperate to try. Error sent the threads to weave into the ones hanging from above, then let go./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFlailing in the tangled, slack ropes sapped my strength even faster. Error calmly watched me kick about and waste precious energy. The longer he stared, the wider his grin got. It sent my frayed nerves splitting straight down to their roots. Sensing the air was thicker here, I flapped frantically. I gained about a yard in altitude before Error sent new threads around my ankles and waist to pull me back down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"YoU'Re qUiTE a FigHTeR, aRen'T yOu? QuiTE… em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"DetERminED. /emYoU'LL LAsT a LOnG timE,em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"" /emspan style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"the Destroyer mused as he /spanapproached, drawing me closer—nearly face to face. I strained to lean away. His eyes flashed darkly. "I'Ve hAd a BAd daY, bUt cAtCHinG yOU hAs mAdE iT emmUCh/em bETter."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"glad to help," I quipped nervously. "you could always return the favor and pretend like this never happened…?" I begged lamely, desperately attempting to humor him. Error chuckled, unsettlingly eager./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"YoU JuST gOT hERe. YoU cAn'T LeaVe, nOw," he taunted. "We'Re gOiNG tO hAvE LOts of FuN, yOu anD I. BUt, first thiNGs fIRst…" I felt strings slowly coil around the wings at my back. I could em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"feel /emevery little razor-sharp thread strangling the feathers. Tighter and tighter./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"no," I breathed, my bravery faltering. "no, please, just let me go! please!" Error ignored my plea./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"… I Can'T hAVe mY LiTTLe biRd EScApe tHe cAge, nOw cAN I?" The strings went taut. It would be foolish optimism to deny what was coming. My soul pounded frantically. Tears welled. The Destroyer hesitated, thoughtfully tipping his head to the side./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"HmM…" he murmured. Calmly locking gazes with me, Error asked— "To CrippLE aN AnGeL, dO yOu BrEAK hiS LeGs…? em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"OR HiS WiNGs—?!" /emand yanked the strings./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy breath seized as the threads sliced through the blue matter, tearing it to shreds. The sensation registered in my mind. I jerked rigid and screamed at the top of my voice, so hard that I saw stars. It emhurt. /emI tugged at the strings uselessly, tears suddenly streaming. The wings were gone. Just like that. Shredded like paper. Gone. It'd happened so fast, I barely had time to think./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA breathless sob hitched in my raw throat, and the cries dissolved into mutilated, shrieking-weeping. My struggling weakened. There wasn't much point in fighting, now. It was already over. Dizzied, exhausted, I finally went limp, voice still warbling weak wails. Error didn't seem bothered. He seemed emenraptured./em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ThAT wAS aStOUnDiNG!" he exclaimed, morbidly delighted. "Oh, I sHoULd hAvE OnLY dEsTRoYeD oNe. I'd LOVe tO sEe tHaT aGaiN." Pressing his fingertips together, he pondered hopefully— "PerHaPs thEy'LL gRoW bAcK."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"s… em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"sadist," /emI spat through gasps, blinking past burning tears./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ThAnK yOu," Error replied, devoid of all sarcasm. I shuddered. Error evidently sensed it, for he chuckled and drew me even closer. He waved his hand, and a flickering rift of code opened before me. His gaze skimmed down the lines, then narrowed. "'HoPeTaLe?'" he mused, unimpressed. My eyes widened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"wh-what?" I breathed. Despite everything, I was suddenly spellbound./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanCould it be? Could HopeTale really be the emname of my universe…? /emSince I'd been deleted, Ink hadn't been able to decipher the details of my scrambled code, and quickly forgot what it was called before I sealed it off. All this time, my homeworld was called emHopeTale? /emIt seemed Error didn't hear me. He scoffed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"'HoPE,' inDeeD," he sneered. "LoOkS preTty HoPELesS, noW." His gaze rose to me and he smirked mockingly. "WeLL, LiTTLe em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"fALLen AnGeL..." /emHe glitchily laughed at his own sick pun. "I LoOK fORwArd to wAtchIng yOu dEScenD iNTo uTTeR dEsPAir. WiLL yOU shUt DoWn, oR bEG fOr MeRcY? ReSORt tO BEtrayAL, EvEn?" His eyes flashed anew with violent excitement. "Or CouLD I dRIVe yOu to soMeThinG fAr dARkeR?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy quivering soul was pinged roughly forward. Error raised his hand, summoning more strings—and stopped. Faltering, he frowned, and murmured, em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;""ALreAdY?" /emThrough my teary vision, I watched him step under me. Kicking my other fallen slipper aside, Error stooped and selected a handful of the dripping, weakly glowing, teal shreds. They were all that remained of the wings./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It sEEms I'Ve rUffLeD sOme fEaTHeRs, aND NoT juSt yOurS," he explained, distractedly playing with the pieces like a child with putty. "I cAn't wAit to SeE hOw INk aND DrEam liKe tHEse sCraPs. It SouNds LiKe ThEy'Re aLreAdy lOoKinG fOr mE." Turning, he cast a glance aside. A flickering, twitching hole appeared beneath his gaze. "DoN't worry. I'LL bE bACK. ENJoY yOur timE iN the wEb, litTLe em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"faLLeN ANGeL."/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd with one last dark chuckle, he stepped through the rift, and was gone./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanEverything was eerily silent. Though I knew they were nearly soundless, my every step seemed as loud as ice cracking. On I wandered, deeper into the desolate wasteland—alone./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIt was cold, the powder I walked on. It lazily drifted down like snow and sprinkled my clothes with a fine grey coating. I brushed a layer off my shoulder, feeling tense. I'd never found the space ash of OuterTale unsettling, but today, it looked a bit like dust./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanIn this Universe, after the war against humanity, monsterkind had been banished to the galaxies instead of the Underground. Comet and Astro, the Sans and Papyrus of the world, were old companions of the Star Sanses. Ink and Dream visited often, and by extension, so did I. The brothers were exceptionally hospitable and kind, and had even come to call emme/em "friend."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFor their sake, I was glad they were unaware of the delicate, dangerous plan unfolding on their very turf. It might decide the fate of us all./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanWestward bound, I headed away from Stardin town. Ahead, the raised rim of the perilous impact zone loomed. I soon found a gap in the porous walls. Narrowly scraping through, I cautiously slid down the steep, craggy canyon. Ash and gravel skittered past as I landed. After kicking a few pebbles from the inside of my slippers, I turned and continued my trek into the barren wilderness./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI supposed the landscape was equivalent to the thick, frozen pine forest I once patrolled for humans. Wandering stars and mangled asteroids were all that decorated the landscape, however, so it was a far-cry from home./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI could still sense my follower, dangerously close on my trail. I couldn't decide whether to be reassured or nervous. I quickened my pace, hoping to put a bit more distance between us. One misstep, and it would all be over. There was no turning back, now. It was Blueberry or bust./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI grinned to myself, oddly calmed by the obscure, simple memory. "Mars or Bust" was a famous human saying, wasn't it? I could still vividly recall Papyrus's and my first Christmas with Gaster. Despite how unfathomably busy he was as the Royal Scientist, he'd devoted his one weekend off to making the holiday special for us./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe'd haphazardly climbed the porch awning and roof to string up lights, (which remained to this day), dug up a young spruce for us to decorate, (which ended up planted lovingly in the backyard, as did all following years' trees), and baked a sugar cream pie, (which was a delicious disaster)./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanHe'd been teaching me all about recognizing constellations, or "star chasing," as he called it. Eight-year-old me had declared I wanted to be an astronaut, more than anything. Gaster apparently took this little dream to heart. Years later, I learned that he'd dug through the garbage heaps in Junk Falls nightly, for weeks on end… to joyously present me with a patched up, plastic astronaut helmet and a "MARS OR BUST" t-shirt on Christmas morning./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanContrasted with the months of terrifying uncertainty I'd endured, despite everything I'd lost, discovering that helmet beneath the colorful wrapping paper felt like paradise. I'd never felt as treasured and valued as I did in that moment. I wished G. could see me now, beneath the stars he'd longed to see. He would have loved it here./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUp ahead, a distant em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"crunch /emspan style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"and warbled voice interrupted /spanmy cherished memories. emthis is it. /emClinging to the courage the memory had brought, I quickly took shelter behind an outcropping of craggy rocks. With my back pressed against the stone, I cautiously inched onwards. Soon, I could hear rhythmic footfalls and hitching murmurs. Closer still. I ran out of rock to hide behind. Tentatively peeking around the edge, I quickly located the source of the noise. Nearby, pacing and muttering, was Error./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanOuterTale, according to Ink, was the only universe Error tolerated. He never attacked it, despite how often he'd been glimpsed sulking beyond the edge of the town. Ink theorized the silence helped to clear the Destroyer's tangled thoughts whenever a plan went awry, or when Nightmare abandoned him mid-mission. Indeed, Error seemed particularly agitated. Straining to hear, I just made out his murmurings./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"… cAUseD suCh A rApiD dEcLiNe?" A few words were lost in static. "…FeW dAYs. I'vE dOnE eVeRytHiNg. EvERytHInG! I seARcHeD EvEryWHerE…" Unintelligible. "THAt LaSt hAuL ShoULD hAVe hELPed, BUt…"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"emFocus," /emforesight whispered. I glanced around. There, a stone's throw away, was another asteroid. It was wide enough to hide me, and the closest choice I had. Taking a minute to judge the distance and count Error's paces, I frowned. Could I make it?/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanThough not impossible, flying in the thin air of OuterTale was exceedingly difficult. The fluttering wings would make far too much noise. I was better off on the ground. I wasn't sure if the dash was a reasonable risk to take… but I didn't see any other way. emthis is my chance./em Crouching low, taking a breath to calm my nerves, I got ready for the sprint… waited for my opportunity… and—!/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"I bolted. I was so frantically focused on picking my footfalls, I didn't even dare to blink. Safety was within reach, when—one of my steps crunched down a little too hard in just the wrong place—Error whirled. My soul seized up as our gazes met. A spark of recognition flashed in the Destroyer's face, and his expression twisted hatefully./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"emSeRIf! /emOh, emY/emoU'RE emsO/em goNnA…!"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanError didn't bother to finish his threat. An enormous black blaster formed and fired a beam of blazing photons. I leapt out of the way, gulping at the gaping, smoking hole in the ground. Rolling under the outcrop ahead, I braced for the strike. A rigid spike of threads shattered the stone into a million sharp shards. I barely managed to deflect them from beneath my shield. The hastily summoned protection field was cracking. I dropped it./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSummoning attacks of my own, I raised my hand and took battle stance, but was forced to dodge a torrential hail of bones before I could aim mine. My attacks dissolved. More strings sliced my way. I abandoned the defense and ran./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanUp ahead was a ravine. The opposite side was slanted. If I could make the jump, I could slide down into the crevice, out of Error's range! I made a dash for it. Panic spurred my steps. A projectile impaled my footprints, barely missing me. My soul was pounding so fast and hard I was seeing swirling stars in the corners of my sight. emjust a bit further…!/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI reached the edge and leapt, desperately grabbing for the far ledge—threads lashed around my ankle. I was yanked down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanError jerked the strings skywards, narrowly preventing me from hitting the ground. Flailing, I frantically tried to form a shield to slice the bonds. But even as the gold flickered before me, more threads wrapped my arm, fingers to shoulder, and coiled around my chest. The magic snuffed out. Within seconds, I was completely ensnared. Error held me, writhing in terror, a few yards in the air. There was no escape./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ink, dream—!" I gasped, "emhelp!" /emError laughed darkly at my desperate antics; an elated grin spread across his face./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ThEy CaN'T heAr YoU cLEarLy fRoM oUTsiDE tHiS uNIvERse," he informed me gleefully. "I'm SurPRIsEd InK LeT yOU oFf yoUr LeASh, LittLe CanARy. DoN'T yOU kNoW it'S dAngERoUs tO flY AlOnE?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanSnap./span/em/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"The wings snapped out. I thrashed desperately, uselessly trying to gain altitude in the thin air. Error scoffed at my squirming and sent more strings to bind my kicking legs. The ones across my shoulders tightened, and a rigid blue spike formed. I cringed back as it came closer. The threads tapped my forehead threateningly, drew back, took aim—/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA distant yell split the silence. Error hesitated, snarling in the direction of the noise. Comet was on his way, alarmed by the sounds of battle. My follower must have set him on my trail. Kicking harder, I opened my mouth to shout for help when Error whipped a tight cord around my neck./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ScReAM aND yOU'LL nEvER sPEaK aGAiN," he growled./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanI remained silent, but continued to struggle. My slipper went flying. I distractedly wondered if it would be found. The sounds of racing footfalls and calls were drawing nearer. Error turned a new, flashing gaze on me./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"HmM," he mused darkly, glare slithering into a smirk. "ReMEMBeR tHe fiRst tiMe wE diD tHiS sONG anD dANce… em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"tOy?/em" I gasped to cry out—too late—as Error teleported me away./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanspan style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe portal ride, though jerky and disorienting, was mercifully brief. I paused my squirming to glance around. I was in the Anti-Void, in Error's base. Blank, lightless white stretched in all directions, ceiling to floor, with nothing but vague shadows to show the boundaries./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAll about, primary blue strings draped from unseen heights. Hanging from many was an array of jackets, shoes, and sweaters. Unspeakable dread filled my soul as my gaze reluctantly dropped to the ground. My eyelights were reduced to mere pinpricks at the sight of scattered bloodstains and piles of dust. They littered the floor beneath the ripped clothes, and I remembered— em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;""I'm loOKing for a NeW toy. my LAst one bRokE."/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span/span/emspan style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"Panic brought me new strength. I thrashed, helpless to escape the strings but still desperate to try. Error sent the threads to weave into the ones hanging from above, then let go./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanFlailing in the tangled, slack ropes sapped my strength even faster. Error calmly watched me kick about and waste precious energy. The longer he stared, the wider his grin got. It sent my frayed nerves splitting straight down to their roots. Sensing the air was thicker here, I flapped frantically. I gained about a yard in altitude before Error sent new threads around my ankles and waist to pull me back down./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"YoU'Re qUiTE a FigHTeR, aRen'T yOu? QuiTE… em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"DetERminED. /emYoU'LL LAsT a LOnG timE,em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"" /emspan style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"the Destroyer mused as he /spanapproached, drawing me closer—nearly face to face. I strained to lean away. His eyes flashed darkly. "I'Ve hAd a BAd daY, bUt cAtCHinG yOU hAs mAdE iT emmUCh/em bETter."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"glad to help," I quipped nervously. "you could always return the favor and pretend like this never happened…?" I begged lamely, desperately attempting to humor him. Error chuckled, unsettlingly eager./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"YoU JuST gOT hERe. YoU cAn'T LeaVe, nOw," he taunted. "We'Re gOiNG tO hAvE LOts of FuN, yOu anD I. BUt, first thiNGs fIRst…" I felt strings slowly coil around the wings at my back. I could em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"feel /emevery little razor-sharp thread strangling the feathers. Tighter and tighter./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"no," I breathed, my bravery faltering. "no, please, just let me go! please!" Error ignored my plea./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"… I Can'T hAVe mY LiTTLe biRd EScApe tHe cAge, nOw cAN I?" The strings went taut. It would be foolish optimism to deny what was coming. My soul pounded frantically. Tears welled. The Destroyer hesitated, thoughtfully tipping his head to the side./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"HmM…" he murmured. Calmly locking gazes with me, Error asked— "To CrippLE aN AnGeL, dO yOu BrEAK hiS LeGs…? em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"OR HiS WiNGs—?!" /emand yanked the strings./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy breath seized as the threads sliced through the blue matter, tearing it to shreds. The sensation registered in my mind. I jerked rigid and screamed at the top of my voice, so hard that I saw stars. It emhurt. /emI tugged at the strings uselessly, tears suddenly streaming. The wings were gone. Just like that. Shredded like paper. Gone. It'd happened so fast, I barely had time to think./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanA breathless sob hitched in my raw throat, and the cries dissolved into mutilated, shrieking-weeping. My struggling weakened. There wasn't much point in fighting, now. It was already over. Dizzied, exhausted, I finally went limp, voice still warbling weak wails. Error didn't seem bothered. He seemed emenraptured./em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ThAT wAS aStOUnDiNG!" he exclaimed, morbidly delighted. "Oh, I sHoULd hAvE OnLY dEsTRoYeD oNe. I'd LOVe tO sEe tHaT aGaiN." Pressing his fingertips together, he pondered hopefully— "PerHaPs thEy'LL gRoW bAcK."/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"s… em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"sadist," /emI spat through gasps, blinking past burning tears./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"ThAnK yOu," Error replied, devoid of all sarcasm. I shuddered. Error evidently sensed it, for he chuckled and drew me even closer. He waved his hand, and a flickering rift of code opened before me. His gaze skimmed down the lines, then narrowed. "'HoPeTaLe?'" he mused, unimpressed. My eyes widened./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"wh-what?" I breathed. Despite everything, I was suddenly spellbound./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanCould it be? Could HopeTale really be the emname of my universe…? /emSince I'd been deleted, Ink hadn't been able to decipher the details of my scrambled code, and quickly forgot what it was called before I sealed it off. All this time, my homeworld was called emHopeTale? /emIt seemed Error didn't hear me. He scoffed./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"'HoPE,' inDeeD," he sneered. "LoOkS preTty HoPELesS, noW." His gaze rose to me and he smirked mockingly. "WeLL, LiTTLe em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"fALLen AnGeL..." /emHe glitchily laughed at his own sick pun. "I LoOK fORwArd to wAtchIng yOu dEScenD iNTo uTTeR dEsPAir. WiLL yOU shUt DoWn, oR bEG fOr MeRcY? ReSORt tO BEtrayAL, EvEn?" His eyes flashed anew with violent excitement. "Or CouLD I dRIVe yOu to soMeThinG fAr dARkeR?"/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanMy quivering soul was pinged roughly forward. Error raised his hand, summoning more strings—and stopped. Faltering, he frowned, and murmured, em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;""ALreAdY?" /emThrough my teary vision, I watched him step under me. Kicking my other fallen slipper aside, Error stooped and selected a handful of the dripping, weakly glowing, teal shreds. They were all that remained of the wings./span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /span"It sEEms I'Ve rUffLeD sOme fEaTHeRs, aND NoT juSt yOurS," he explained, distractedly playing with the pieces like a child with putty. "I cAn't wAit to SeE hOw INk aND DrEam liKe tHEse sCraPs. It SouNds LiKe ThEy'Re aLreAdy lOoKinG fOr mE." Turning, he cast a glance aside. A flickering, twitching hole appeared beneath his gaze. "DoN't worry. I'LL bE bACK. ENJoY yOur timE iN the wEb, litTLe em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"faLLeN ANGeL."/em/span/p
p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 182.05pt;"span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"span style="mso-tab-count: 1;" /spanAnd with one last dark chuckle, he stepped through the rift, and was gone./span/p