Fresh poofed to the skeleton residence and gathered his kids. "Come on, ya'll. We need to move ya kiddos out of here."
"Dad, what's going on?" Dream asked, in Fresh's arms; Nightmare was clinging onto Fresh's back.
"Daddio's got a bro ta save." Fresh told them. "And aye need ya to go hang wit sum frens uh mine."
"Okay...?" Dream was confused and a little scared; his dad always told them what was wrong. He and Nightmare shared a worried look.
"Is everything alright, Fresh?" Gaster asked.
"Not even a little." Fresh explained the situation to him as kid-friendly a way as possible.
Gaster nodded in understanding and gathered his own children to go with Fresh. "I'll be coming with them as well. I can watch the children while you're gone."
"What makes you think I'm going somewhere?" Fresh raised a brow. His glasses were back on his face; they had been blank this entire time.
"I know you, Fresh. You're more than just a glorified babysitter for this multiverse."
Fresh didn't comment. He opened a portal to a safe haven for them. The other children were already there, having moved while Ink was still asleep. "Is everyone okay?"
Killer was quick to notice the lack of slang. "We're fine. Is that bad? Where is he?"
"Back in his multiverse." Fresh explained.
"He left? Again?!" Inky wailed, fresh tears falling down his face. "But why? Why would he leave me?!"
Fresh knelt down and pulled the distraught child into his arms and the rubbed his back. "Easy there, little broski. He didn't want ta leave ya, but it wasn't safe fer 'im ta stay."
"Why not...?" Inky sniffles.
"He's got a real bad person inside 'O 'em makin' 'em do real bad tings." Fresh explained. He stood up and carried Inky to the couch; this hideout was nicer than the one TK and Lag lived in. "He doesn't wanna hurtcha."
"I know he doesn't..." Inky whimpered, tucking his injured arm to his chest. It was wrapped in bandages.
"But he ends up doin' it anyways 'cause 'O dat person in 'em." Fresh explained as he set Inky down; he looked the child in the eyes and said, "But I'm going to help him. I'm going back to help him and free him, alright?"
"Promise?"
"I can't make any promises. But I'll do my best."
Inky was silent and looked down at his hands in his lap. Error and Choppy sat on either side of him, offering comfort; there wasn't anything else they could do. Eventually, Inky nodded and said quietly, "Okay..."
Fresh turned back to Gaster and gave him a quick run down of where everything was in the hideout. Gaster assured them that they'd be fine.
With that, Fresh returned to FMD timeline Zeta 1222.15. He went looking for an adult that could help him. Someone who knew a thing or two about "Broomie."
Error was sitting in his Anti-Void, knitting a winter hat for someone; there was probably a birthday coming up soon. He hadn't seen Fresh yet. Ink hadn't been causing any trouble recently, which was..worrying,to say the least; Error wondered if Ink was planning something..
"Now dat's wack, yo!" Fresh ran up to the glitchy skeleton and skidded to a stop in front of him, grinning wide. "A grown glitchy boi! Tha's rad dope, yo! Wass up, my radical home skillet?"
"Uhh..what?" Error blinked; he didn't recognize this skeleton..he must have been from a new AU. "What do you want?"
Fresh plopped down in front of Error, still grinning. "I'm new 'round dis neighborhood and was lookin' sum coolio brolio who's got the 411, ya dig?"
Error wasn't sure whether to try to speak to this person or run for his life. He settled on staring cluelessly. Fresh repressed a snicker; he was on a mission.
He repeated himself in simpler terms. "I'm lookin' fer sum peeps who can tell me 'bout dis place."
"The Anti-Void?" Error raised an eyebrow. "It's a white void; there's not much to it. Who are you, anyway?"
Fresh held out his hand. "I'm your neigh-bro-hood cool kid Fresh, yo!"
"..And I'm Error, Destroyer of Worlds." Error politely refused the handshake. "I'm not fond of touch. So, what did you want, again?"
Fresh retracts his hand, his glasses showingOO-PS.
"Sorry, ma dude. Shoulda 'membered dat. Ya little dude ain't 'bout dat life either." He apologized, before his face turned serious. "As fer why 'am here...aye need help, 'an I'm hopin' ta find someone who knows a ting 'o two 'bouts certain unradical peeps."
"It's fine." Error assured. "Who did you want to know about?"
"...First aye gotta ask whatyoukno' 'bout folks who can possess others."
"..Are you from some kind of Ghostbusters AU?" Error questioned.
"I live in Littleverse. Da multiverse next door." Fresh jerked his thumb over his shoulder as if it were just around the corner. "We hads a house guest from 'ere who had a jacked-up fellow messin' wit his sense 'o self. I wanna help 'em, but I don't know much 'bouts this sorta thing."
"Um.." Error decided to just pay attention to the previous question. "Like, ghosts or demons? Or fallen children? I need specifics."
"Kiddos are easy. Ya giv' 'em sum attention an' luvin's an' they're all good." There was so much more to it than that, and he knew it. But compared to this... "So I'd say...mayhap's da demon? But like, da kind dat can intermingle wit someone's code."
Error narrowed his eyesockets. "Based on thatspecificdescription, you're talking about a code-based demon, also known as a corruption demon. There's a reason you came to me, hm? Well, taking those things out is my job; just tell me where it is."
"The demon's name is Broomie, and he's been forcing the Protector of your world to hurt people." Fresh dropped the accent and slang, face serious and glasses blank. "He's a good kid. He needs help. You in?"
Error paused for a moment, before nodding; he had never considered that possibility..but now that it was being presented to him, it made sense.
"I'm in." Error confirmed, waiting for Fresh to tell him the plan.
"First, we gotta find 'em again. I brought him back 'ere not tha' long ago." Fresh told him. "He shouldn't be hard to hold down. A bunch 'o kiddos an' me were able ta, so that ain't an ish. I'll hold Ink while you's handle Broomie."
"Wait, his paintbrush?" Error lifted an eyebrow, not understanding.
"What?" Fresh tilted his head.??-??
"His paintbrush..is named Broomie." Error stated. "Why do I have to fight a paintbrush?"
Fresh frowned in consideration. "Does he talk to the brush?"
"Uh, yeah, sometimes - he's pretty weird." Error confirmed.
"Den he must'a named it after da demon, 'cause dat's da name 'o it." Fresh concluded. "Probs ta divert suspicions."
"Huh.." Error hummed; that would have been a solid coverup.. "Do you know where he is?"
"Fraid not. I had ta leave pret quick after droppin' 'em back 'ere." Fresh shook his head as he stood up. "Ink had grown pret attached to his 'lil self and I was 'fraid Broomie would make 'em go back ta snatch da kiddo 'o one of de others if they weren't somewhere safe."
Error wasn't sure about everything the other was saying, but he understood enough. Ink needed help.
"I guess our best bet would be to look in the universe he lives in.." Error sighed. "But I don't have access there..can you access locked AUs?"
Fresh held a hand up to his chin in thought. "Nev' tried dat befo'...nev'r needed ta. I could try doe."
"All right." Error nodded, bringing up a code bar and showing it to Fresh. "Here are the coordinates."
Fresh got started immediately. His fingers moved across the bar quickly and expertly. He hoped this would work...
Error waited patiently for Fresh to do his thing; if this didn't work, he could try to lure Ink out, but that would have posed the chance that the other two Star Sanses would come to fight him, too, which could have increased the difficulty immensely for the duo.
"Ah-ha! Bingo!" Fresh exclaimed, after a moment. "Its unlocked now. Let's go before that changes."
"All right." Error opened a portal, leading Fresh through.
They came out in front of a large house with three stories and an attic; the rest of the universe was a grassy plain, with nothing but grass. This was Ink's home. There was a decently-sized garden to the side of the house, and there was a nice porch out front. Error stepped up to the front door, cautiously turning the doorknob and opening the door; Ink had no reason to lock it. The door led to the living room, which looked as neat as ever. ̶A̶ ̶p̶a̶r̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶E̶r̶r̶o̶r̶ ̶f̶e̶l̶t̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̶i̶f̶ ̶h̶e̶ ̶h̶a̶d̶ ̶b̶e̶e̶n̶ ̶h̶e̶r̶e̶ ̶b̶e̶f̶o̶r̶e̶.̶ Error didn't recognize it. The glitchy skeleton looked around, looking and listening for anything that could indicate a presence; after a moment, he turned to Fresh.
"I don't think he's home." Error concluded.
Fresh narrowed his sockets behind his glasses as he walked through the living room. He didn't get the chance to ask Inky everything he had been through here, but after what happened in Littleswap...
"Back in Littleverse, Ink kept calling himself a villain. Even had an evil laugh and chuckle he obviously practiced." Fresh explained. "As if he were a Saturday morning cartoon character..."
"Heisa villain." Error agreed with Ink. "He literally created me just so he wouldn't have to do his job as a Corruption Cleaner, and when people started to ask him to do something about me, he had no qualms about breaking my bones into dust to maintain his'hero'persona."
"Hmm... seems ratherclichéta me." Fresh commented, turning around to face Error. "I noticed in da code der's a few individuals who've got access ta 'ere. Wouldn't it make sense den, for him to have a secret room to keep any...guestsin?"
Error considered it. "I guess. But I've never been here before; if hedoeshave something like that, I don't know where it is. Maybe the basement?"
Fresh turned to the door to the room in question and walked over. "Only one way to find out."
He picked the lock and opened the door, flicking the lightswitch before walking down. He kept his face neutral, despite what they might have found down there.
The basement definitely looked like a psychopath's basement. There were torture devices on the walls, chains to hold victims in place, and blood stains galore. However, there was no Ink. Error was uncomfortable down here; he wanted to leave. He knew that at least one of his nephews had been down here more than once. Fresh's glasses were as blank as his expression. He turned around and walked back up the stairs with Error, closing the door behind them.
Fresh started towards the hallway. "Let's check the rest of the house. We'll call each other if we find anything."
"All right." Error nodded, following him up the stairs tot he higher levels
Error decided to check the second floor, going through Ink's bedroom and some other guest bedrooms; he found nothing, however. Fresh went to the third floor and searched each of the rooms. He noticed evidence of a child once living here - toys forgotten in the hallway and drawings hung up on the walls. One in particular caught his eye.
A rather well-done picture of Ink and Inky standing in a field. It was labeled'Daddy and me.'
Fresh's face softened briefly before he continued his search. He checked every door to see if they were locked. Surprisingly, there were very few locked doors, and most of them led to rooms that were either bedrooms or dedicated to hobbies, such as art or music. Error searched the attic next, and although he found a few worrying articles (he wasn't going to speak of the books Ink kept up here ever), he did not find the artist.
There was only one floor left to search: the first floor. Error started in the kitchen, while Fresh returned downstairs and searched the other rooms down there. After a few more minutes of searching, the two had gone through the entire house, and they hadn't found Ink. Error was ready to give up the search; Ink was probably off doing something in another universe.
"I don't think he's here." Error stated. "Should we try something else?"
"...Do you know where he likes to go when he's stressed?" Fresh asked, brows creased in worry.
"No, I don't." Error admitted. "But if I attack an AU he likes, he might come to stop me. The only trade-off would be that Dream and Blue would probably come, too.."
"Those are his teammates, yeah?" Fresh considered their options. "Blue lives in Underswap...think he's home? He might know where Ink is."
"He might, but you'd have to go alone; I'm not sure what it's like in your world, but if I go with you to see Blue, a fightwillbreak out." Error informed.
Fresh chuckled, his glasses returning to their normalYO-LO."Bite sized you back home an' Blue's other self seemed ta get along jus' fine. All da kiddos seem's ta like each other pret well."
"Well, here, we're sworn enemies." Error shrugged. "Do you want me to open you a portal to Underswap?"
"I'd 'preciate that, broski."
"All right." Error nodded, opening a portal for Fresh to Underswap.
"Thanks again, broski! I'll catch ya on the flip side." Fresh said, before entering the portal.
He didn't wait for a response before running to the skeleton household. He recieved a few strange looks on the way, but he paid them no mind as he ran up to the house. He knocked on the door to the pattern of a catchy song and waited for a response. After only a moment, the door opened, revealing a short swap Sans, who looked at Fresh curiously.
"Oh, hello, there!" Blue grinned. "I don't think we've met; I'm Blue, the original Underswap Sans and part of the Star Sanses! Who are you?"
Fresh grinned and grabbed Blue's hand, giving it an enthusiastic shake. "What up, dawg? I'm yer friendly neigh-bro-hood cool kid Fresh! I'm just poppin' in ta ask ya for the 411 on my new bro. He was mad lunchn' when we had ta cut ways due to an unradical peep intend on messin' 'em up. I hear ya got de assist."
Blue had no idea what any of that meant except for the name, but he pretended he did anyway to be nice.
"That's great!" He chuckled nervously, not daring to say anything more, lest he offended the stranger.
LO-L
"Ye didn't understand a word 'o dat, did ya?" Fresh grinned in amusement and released Blue's hand.
"Uh, nope, sorry.." Blue shook his skull. "What did you want?"
"I made a fren from 'ere, and I was wantin' ta surprise 'em wit a visit." Fresh told him. "His name is Ink. I was tole ya could 'elp me find 'em."
"Oh, Ink!" Blue understood now. "Well, he's got a pretty big job, as the Protector, but I should be able to call him, if you'd like me to! Do you want me to tell him you're looking for him, or do you want to call him directly?"
Fresh tilted his head and held up a finger to his mouth. "I wan' it ta be a surprise, ya dig? 'Don tell 'em I'm lookin' fer 'im, but if he ain't busy to come over."
"Oh, all right!" Blue nodded, pulling out his phone; he called Ink, and while the phone rang, he looked up to Fresh. "Should I put it on speaker for you?"
Fresh nodded, both grateful and concerned for this skeleton's trusting nature.
"Okie dokie!" Blue nodded, putting the phone on speaker.
After the fifth ring, Ink picked up.
"Hello, Blue!" His voice was raspy and strained..almost as if he had been using it alot."How are you?"
"I'm fine, but how areyou?"Blue seemed concerned for his friend. "You sound terrible..are you sick?"
"Nah, just helping out in a NoteTale; they needed help with a singer, and I was on hand. Do you need anything?"
"Oh, well, make sure to drink lots of water! I just wanted to know if you can come over?"
"Um..I-" Ink's voice was covered by static for a couple moments. "B-but I should be able to get there in maybe ten minutes?"
Fresh frowned minutely; it would appear that his fears he proved true. Broomie wasn't happy with Ink... Fresh put his smile back in place when Ink said he would come. That was good; he wouldn't need to go searching again. Hopefully, Error was watching.
"All right, then!" Blue smiled, glad that he would see his friend again (and maybe dote on him a little, too). "See you in ten minutes!"
"See ya." Ink hung up.
"Well, I'd be glad to let you stay for a while here, unless you're in a hurry?" Blue looked up to Fresh.
"Much 'preciated, broski. I got a mo' ta crash." Fresh said. "Giv's me the opportunity ta get to kno' da Inkster's homeslices."
"I still don't know what you're saying, but come on in." Blue invited Fresh inside his quaint home.
Swapyrus was asleep on the couch, and something was cooking in the kitchen; it smelled like tacos.
Fresh followed him with an amused look. And that was one of his simpler sentences... "Thanks, broski."
"Here, uh, you can make yourself at home." Blue gestured to the room before neatly stacking a couple magazines on the coffee table. "Would you like some hot chocolate or tea?"
"Hot chocolate would be realcool."Fresh winked behind his glasses, one side going blank for effect. He sits down in an armchair.
Blue smiled at the ironic pun, before going into the kitchen and preparing some hot chocolate. He grabbed a mug for Ink, too, hoping that his friend would accept some. After five minutes, Blue returned with hot chocolate and marshmallows, sitting down on the couch next to his brother and handing Fresh a mug.
"So, what did you want to meet with Ink for?" He asked, curious.
Fresh took a drink and ended up with a chocolate mustache. "Last I saw da Inkmeister, he seemed ta be havin' a hard time. I wasn't up ta par den ta lend a hand, so I came bak ta help."
Blue took a moment to understand what Fresh was saying before speaking. "I hope he isn't in any trouble; Ink sometimes doesn't know right from wrong..I worry, you know?"
"I know just what you mean..." Fresh looked down and sighed. "He's gotten 'emself inta something real big, ya know? He needs help."
"Oh, dear..is there anything I can do?"
Blue was concerned now; what had his friend gotten himself into? Did Nightmare have leverage over him? Had Error threatened a close friend? Fresh studied the skeleton in front of him, considering whether or not he could handle the truth. He glanced at the sleeping one and hummed. Carrot was always smarter than people gave the toddler credit for; perhaps his adult counterpart was, too...
When was Ink supposed to get here again? Hopefully soon, but not before he had a chance to explain. The more help they had, the better... "There migh' be. We'll see."
"I'm listening." Blue waited for Fresh to explain.
"Wake yer brother first." Fresh set his mug aside and leaned forward. "It'll be better if I explain this once."
"Um, okay." Blue nodded, tugging at his brother's sleeve; Swapyrus was now awake and listening, although he didn't look like it.
Fresh nodded, satisfied. "You mentioned Ink doesn't always know right from wrong? It would be more accurate ta say someone is forcing him to do bad things."
"Is someone blackmailing him?" Blue wondered, not quite understanding.
"Have you ever heard of a corruption demon?"
"I..no?" Blue shook his skull. "What have demons got to do with Ink?"
"To put it simply, Ink is possessed. He isn't always in control of his actions. The demon, whose name isBroomie,hurts him when he doesn't listen." Fresh explained, listening closely for any sign of Ink.
"Wh-what..?" Blue didn't know what to say..
"Blue. Lil' Carrot's bigger self." Fresh leaned forward to drive his point home. "Your friend has been possessed long enough for people to think he talks to a giantpaintbrush.He doesn't; he's talkin' to the being who's been ruinin'his life,and others'. Ink doesn't want to do all those horrible things. I'veseenwith my own eyelights how torn up he gets when Broomie makes him hurt people."
"I.." Blue held a hand over his mouth; he didn't trust himself to react to that information.
Swapyrus just stared, his mind slowly processing the startling factoids.
After a moment of silence, a knock came at the door. Blue looked to Fresh, wondering if he should answer..
Fresh stood up and smiled gently, nodding to the door.
"R-right.." Blue nodded, putting on a convincing smile and walking to the door. He opened it, revealing Ink, who looked..not even half-healed. Ink had done what he could in the two minutes he had after the punishment; Broomie had beaten him badly this time..
"Hey, Blue!" Ink greeted; his voice, unfortunately, was still rather raspy, and it hurt to talk. "Didja need me for something?"
"Wh-whathappenedto you?!" Blue asked, worried about his friend -especiallyafter what he had just learned.
"I may or may not have fallen down a flight of stairs after helping out in that universe, but I'm fine!"
Just out of sight of the door, Fresh scowled. He stepped further out of sight and sent Swapyrus a meaningful look, saying,'See what I mean? He's the victim.'
Swapyrus gave Fresh a curt nod, understanding exactly what the look meant.
"Well, come on in!" Blue invited, and Ink entered the building.
The artist jumped a bit in surprise when he saw Fresh; he had thought that he had been left here..why was Fresh here? Was...was this another punishment? Had Broomie trapped Fresh here?!
"Uh, hi!" Ink waved slowly; he had a persona to keep up. "I don't believe we've met before! My name's Ink, and I'm the Protector of this fair multiverse! Who are you?"
Fresh had a giant grin plastered on his face. "How's it hangin', ma artsy broski? Didja thin' aye was gonna split an' leave ya high an' dry?" Freah tsked and waved his hand as if that were ridiculous. "As if! Dis pad seemed like a dank place ta kick it and cut loose. Only probs be da bunk foo' dat jacked ya up. Dat ain't fly, yo!"
Ink sensed pain in his future. He decided to dispense with his persona; he needed to get Fresh as far away from him as possible, even if it meant hurting him - he was toodangerous.He could erase Blue's and Swap's memories of this event later.
"You need to leave,now."Ink growled. "I don't know what you're planning, but it isn't going to work;nothingworks! If you don't leave this multiverseimmediately,I will hurt you. Do you understand?"
Blue and Swap looked in surprise at Ink; they had never seen him act this way before.
"I understand, bro." Fresh's smile turned soft. "But I'm not the sort ta leave a friend behind."
Error, where are ya?Fresh wondered. He could sense a fight coming; he moved closer and moved Blue away from Ink. Just in case.
"..You're afool."Ink glared. "You think that, just because youcare,you can save me; it's a hopeless wish. Some people just aren't meant to besaved..and I'm one of them. If you will not leave on your own..I willmakeyou."
While Ink unsheathed his paintbrush and prepared an attack, a blue string subtly wrapped around one of his ankles.
The fight had begun.
Without further warning, Fresh jumped back and threw a furby at Ink. It exploded into silly string and wrapped Ink up; the putty like substance hardened around Ink's limbs.
"Now, Error!" Fresh shouted. He stood between Ink and the Swap bros, ready for an attack.
Ink yelled out as he was restrained, not having expected that; it seemed that Fresh had a few tricks up his sleeve. Well, that was no matter; Ink had a few of his own. He used his code manipulation to dissolve the restraints in an instant, swinging his paintbrush to lob a blob of red paint at Fresh as he rose to his feet; he didn't seem to notice the string around his ankle.
Error, who was doing his job while sitting on the roof to remain out of sight, was using the string he had attached to Ink mere moments ago to gain access to the artist's code, which was certainly in the clutches of a corruption demon. The process had to be taken seriously, and he couldn't rush; once the demon realized that it was being erased, it wouldn't be dealt with so easily. Error hoped that Fresh could distract Ink and, by proxy, the demon long enough for him to get a foot in the door.
Blue and Swap, although they had great respect and care for their friend, were torn between the decision to help fight him or to help him fight the stranger..either choice seemed disastrous, if it was the wrong one. Neither of them joined the fray right now.
Fresh rose a bone wall in front of Blue and Swapyrus before dodging the paint with a spin. He countered with a glitter bomb at Ink's face. Another followed a moment later at his brush; the glitter would make the paint chunky.
Ink growled as his vision was temporarily obscured by glitter, but he didn't have time to waste; he needed to protect his friend from Broomie, and to do that, he needed to chase him off. Ink flung more paint at Fresh, trying to wipe the glitter from his eyesockets between attacks.
Error was nearing the point at which he was almost sure that the demon would sense his interference; he hoped that Fresh was doing all right below, because Error wasn't going to stop foranything.
Swapyrus made a decision, grabbing his brother and pulling him into the kitchen; this was not their battle.
Fresh ducked under the paint before popping back up with his hands in the air. "GOOAAAL! Ten outta ten, broski!"
He then proceeded to summon a jukebox and played a pop song.
"We got that Coca Cola bottle shape, shape, shape ~"
"We got that sugar, do you wanna taste, taste, taste?~"
"We take it all around the globe~"
"Baby everywhere we go~"
"Make it hot when mama arrives~"
"Shake, shake, shake~"
Fresh stopped dancing as quickly as he began; he stared at the jukebox with a weird look. "Dat isnotda song aye wanted..."
Fresh shook his head and pressed a button to flip through the music choices.
Ink took Fresh's moment of distraction to wipe the rest of the glitter from his eyesockets. When he could finally see, he noticed..thestring.Error was here..? Why would-
Error's code bar began to glitch; surprise, surprise, the demon now knew he was here! Error began to navigate his way through the now-shifting code, his job now about a thousand times harder than it had been just ten seconds ago. He needed to get this over withfast.
̶I̶n̶k̶ The demon leveled a diabolical glare at Fresh; this measly skeleton was trying to takehisvictim? That wouldn't do. The demon summoned a volley of bone attacks and hurled them at Fresh; the real fight had just begun.
An upbeat tune poured from the jukebox. A very familiar opening, to averyfamiliar song.
"Now dat's da bomb!" Fresh exclaimed with a grin, casually tossing a glitter bomb at ̶I̶n̶k̶ Broomie. This one wasextrairritating and sparkly!
"We're no strangers to love~"
"You know the rules and so do I (do I)~"
"A full commitment's what I'm thinking of~"
"You wouldn't get this from any other guy~"
Fresh bent backwards to dodge a bone and spun through the rest. He was dancing to the music as he moved out of the way. A few caught the edges of his jacket and knocked off the propeller on his hat, but he just grinned at Broomie, smile sharp. "Wass da matter? Gettin' testy dere,pal?"
The demon said nothing, only sending another attack; one of the bones in this round hit the jukebox, while the rest were aimed at Fresh. The demon did not want this fight to last long; he had a Corruption Cleaner to deal with and a good amount of memories to erase. Every second he spent fighting thisidiotwas a second wasted.
Error was making slow but steady progress up top, continuing to work on the bug in the system; this one was particularly crafty, it seemed.
"I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling~"
"Gotta make you understand~"
The jukebox survived through the sheer power of radtastic tunage!
And a bone wall raised around it at the last minute.
Fresh continued to dance his way through the bone attacks; he threw a few of his own at Broomie, knowing he would dodge. "Not cool, pally. Whacha got against da classics?"
The demon growled threateningly at his opponent, lunging at him with blades in his hands; he intended to cripple him; this was taking too long.
Error was getting close..very close.
YI-KES
Fresh blocked the blades with metal slappy bracelets. He deflected the blades and reared back to kick Broomie in the chest, and he sent a mental apology to Ink as the other fell back.
"Never gonna give you up~"
"Never gonna let you down~"
"Never gonna run around and desert you~"
"Never gonna make you cry~"
"Never gonna say goodbye~"
"Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you~"
Error was working quickly; he almost had it! He just needed a little while longer, and the demon would be gone.
The demon came to the startling realization that he wasn't going to be living much longer - that blasted Corruption Cleaner! Well..ifhecouldn't have Ink..neither could anyoneelse.
An ear-piercing shriek rang out. Ink was no longer fighting; he waswrithingin pain. His bones felt as if they were being seared, and his pain tolerance didn't feel like itexistedanymore!
Why was he being punished now?
What had he done..?
Fresh put his weapons away and ran to Ink, where he removed the blades from Ink's grip and pulled him into a gentle hug.
His hands glowed green as he tried to counter whatever Broomie was doing and heal Ink's previous injuries. "Bro, I need ya ta just hold on a little bit longer. It's almost over."
Ink continued to scream in pain, twisting and turning in his agony; Broomie had been ever gone this hard on him before..how badly had he messed up?
The demon felt its existence slipping away; he wouldn't even be able to finish off his victim. The next best thing, then, would have to suffice. The effect of Fresh's healing magic stopped in an instant, but Ink was still screaming.
Error let out a short sigh of relief as he erased the last of the demon, lying down on the roof when the deed was done; that had been a difficult virus to destroy..he hoped he had gotten rid of all of it.
Ink suddenly went lax in Fresh's hold, losing consciousness and drifting off to sleep.
The demon was dead.
