Ink shot up in his bed, rasping heavy breaths and trembling fearfully.

Fresh was getting lunch made; tacos were the order, today. Once everything was ready, he turned off the stove and got the children what they wanted to eat on their tacos. When done with that, he went over to Ink's room and knocked on the door. Ink didn't hear the knock; he was sobbing into his pillow. Fresh leaned his skull against the door to listen for signs if sleeping. Instead, he heard muffled crying.

"Ink? Broski, what's wrong?"

Ink gasped at Fresh's voice; he shouldn't have heard this! Ink wiped his tears off with his sleeves as quickly as he could, trying to get himself under control; he couldnottell his master about this! After a couple seconds, Ink went to the door, opening it and showing Fresh a hastily-cleaned face, doing his best to think about happy things to prevent tears from forming.

"Wh-what do you mean?" He asked, giving an obviously-forced smile. "Everything's fine! I'm fine!"

"I heard crying. What happened?" Fresh frowned, taking Ink's hand and rubbing his thumb over the knuckles.

"I..I just had a bad dream." Ink avoided eye contact. "I'm fine, now. D-do you want me to do anything? It must be late..sh-should I make dinner?"

"It's only lunch time. I made tacos already." Fresh told him. "Ink...let's sit down. Let's talk about it. You can choose my room or yours."

"..Okay." Ink sighed; if his master wanted to talk about it..he had no choice. He sat down on his bed, looking down.

Fresh closed the door behind him and sat down next to Ink. Softly, he asked. "What scared you, Ink? What happened?"

"..It was probably just a bad dream." Ink said. "But..i-if it wasn't, um..th-the demons are after me.."

"The same kind as Broomie?" Fresh narrowed his sockets, dropping his accent. "What did they say to you?"

"..They're going to come after me as soon as they can cross the multiverse barrier..and...they're going to kill whoever gets in their way.." Ink sighed, wrapping his arms around himself; why did this have to happen to him?

"...And this is a multiverse full of kids. Even the Guardians are kids." Fresh whispered as the reality of the situation hit him.

...What?! Nononono! That cannot be allowed.

"I don't think we get a choice." Fresh muttered lowly.

No! I read the dream sequence! That is bad! Very, very bad!

Fresh sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Alright...looks like we've got our work cut out for us."

"I can jump into the void in an attempt to take my life." Ink offered. "The people of this world should not have to suffer because of me."

"You are not doing that. It wouldn't work anyway." Fresh shook his head. "We will figure something out. But you are not dying."

"Okay." Ink replied. "But what will we do?"

"Well...that's a good question. I'm not sure yet; what I do know is we can't do this alone. I only know of one other code manipulator, and that's the Error from your multiverse. I think we'll need more than him though."

"..If we open a gateway, they could get through sooner.." Ink looked down, sighing.

"Well, there goes that idea." Fresh sighed; he groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. "As if we didn't have enough problems..."

"I'm sorry.." Ink frowned. "I can run away, if you'd like, or sacrifice myself for the greater good."

"No. I told you I would help you. And that means even with this."

...

...Might I make a suggestion?

"We'll figure something out. Don't worry. Anything you can tell me about them and how they fight would be helpful." Fresh said to Ink. "Any weaknesses you're aware of."

Are you seriously ignoring me?

Fresh kept his gaze on Ink, waiting for his response. He wasn't too keen on these things coming to this multiverse. A place filled with children - vulnerable children with little experience fighting.

"..They like to use trickery." Ink began. "They don't enjoy combat; they try to avoid it whenever it isn't necessary. Instead, they prefer to try to possess their victims. It starts..with a small voice. It doesn't even seem threatening at first - just annoying..sometimes, helpful. It..needs you to accept it. It tries to befriend you..even if that takes months. All you have to do is say 'yes,' and then you're caught..and you can't get out."

Ink began to fiddle with his fingers; he hadn't wanted this to happen...

"A voice, huh?" Fresh glanced in a particular direction.

...

"And all they need is an affirmative answer...I can think of a few here who would do that without much thought." Fresh leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, face drawn in a frown. "I'm going to need to warn them. This is something they all need to be aware of, especially the Guardians."

"They like to target Guardians, yes..I used to be one.." Ink recalled, sighing.

"Then I'll get TK to call a meeting. He'll be able to get Error and Ink there." Fresh said. "We'll bring the twins."

You're forgetting someone.

"I don'think I'm forgettin' no one..." Fresh shook his head. "TK will be there, some radical godly kiddos, and some others..."

She would be a valuable ally. If you can get her to listen...

"No." Fresh didn't want to eventhinkabout that being. He didn't want anything to do with it; eventually he would deal with it, but not today. And not until this new threat was dealt with. He plastered on a convincing smile and said, "Not missin' no one. Lil broski knows who ta call."

Look... she can help. She might even be able to keep them out. I would, but I can't. Someone else is writing in here. And even then, you know I only have so much influence on this world.

"So ya keep sayin'..."Fresh muttered under his breath; he turned his attention back to Ink and held back a sigh. "Aight, so we got somethin' ta work wit. Fer now, let's focus on something else."

Ink shrugged. "Okay So..should I go make sure the children are all right?"

"Yeah, dey should be in the kitchen eatin' lunch." Fresh nodded and moved to get up.

"Okay..." Ink nodded, before hugging Fresh.

Fresh hugged the other back, rubbing a hand over Ink's back to comfort him. "Don' worry...no one's gonna get ya if I got a say in it. Yer gonna be okay."

"All right..." Ink nodded. "Should I go..check on the little ones?"

"Yeah. Let's go den." Fresh stood up and took Ink's hand again, helping him up and leading him out of the room.

Ink nodded, following Fresh's lead to the kitchen, hoping the children were all right... he didn't wishanyoneto have experiences with demons...

Nightmare and Dream were safety at the table, eating their tacos. The two looked up, and Dream smiled.

"Hi, Ink! Did you have a good nap?" He asked, oblivious to the artists thoughts and not paying attention to his daddy's feelings.

Nightmare, however, noticed the way the adults held themselves and sensed the negativity surrounding his daddy. For some reason he couldn't sense Ink's emotions, but the other skeleton's body language spoke for itself.

"What's wrong?" He asked bluntly.

Fresh went between them and cupped each of their faces in turn, subtlety checking their code for any signs of tampering; he didn't find any. "Somethin' jus' happened, an' we got a scare."

"Oh. Do you feel better now?" Dream asked, sitting up on his knees to look his daddy in the face.

"A little bit, now dat I kno' yer safe. But we're goin' ta need ta go to a meetin' wit da other guardians." Fresh informed them. "There's somethin' real big happinen'."

"What happened?" Nightmare frowned.

"I'll tell ya when we gots everyone together." Fresh repeated.

"It's all my fault." Ink sighed, looking down. "Just like everything else. Do you two want anything? I can make snacks, or get you some drinks."

"But we're already eating lunch." Dream pointed out, with a confused tone.

"Snack fer later. At da meetin'." Fresh clarified.

"Oh! Can I have cookies?" He requested with a bright grin, any worries he felt from the serious situation quickly disappearing from his mind.

"Sure." Ink nodded. "What's your favorite type of cookie?"

"I like chocolate chip!" Dream announced.

"Then I'll get some!" Ink assured, before looking to Nightmare. "Do you want anything?"

Nightmare glanced between his daddy and Ink with a thoughtful expression, before humming and looking back at Ink. "I'd like chocolate chip cookies too, please."

"Okay!" Ink left the room to get the snacks in question.

The twins finished their tacos, and Fresh took them to the living room to play for a little bit while he called up TK to gather the other Guardians. Meanwhile, Ink grabbed a bag and filled it with some snacks, including cookies, chips, pretzels, and juiceboxes; he wanted to make sure that no one would go hungry!

Once Ink was done, Fresh knocked on the kitchen doorframe. "Ready ta go, Ink?"

"Yep!" Ink nodded in response, exiting the kitchen with a bag full of yummy snacks - especially chocolate chip cookies!

Fresh opened a portal to TK and his friends' hideout, gesturing for the others to go through. Dream and Nightmare entered, ready to see their new friends again. TK was on the other side waiting for them to enter; he greeted the twins with his same lazy way, and they greeted him with enthusiastic hugs or shy waves. The twins ran further inside the hideout, Lag leading them down the hallway. Ink stepped through the portal slowly, checking for any signs of possession in anyone present..he hoped nothing had happened yet. He would never have forgiven himself if anything happened to these innocent children..

"You were a little vague on the phone." TK said, as Fresh closed the portal behind Ink. "What's going on?"

"I wanna explain ta ev'one at once." Fresh sighed, expression serious. "Ya kids got a meetin' room?"

"Sorta? Lag uses it for crafts, but there's a table and chairs." TK shrugged, leading them to the room in question.

There were shelves lined with craft supplies of all sorts. A rather large wooden table in the center of the room was surrounded by chairs of varying types, from fancy dinner chairs, to spinning bar stools, to plastic lawn chairs. There were still a few unfinished projects on the tabletop and an Annie doll in one of the seats. The room was filled with all sorts of children. There were Dream and Nightmare of course, a child in a dark cloak floating over a goat girl in a green sundress, a single monochrome human girl, Lag, Error, and-

"Ink!"

The adult's legs are tackled by a familiar little artist.

"Hey, Inky.." Ink sighed; most of all, he didn't want Inky to be affected by this..he wasn't sure how he would have reacted if Inky was possessed...he would have rather died, honestly. "How are you?"

"I'm good! Error is showing me how to knit with my fingers. See!" He held up his hands, showing off yarn stuck between the joints; he didn't seem to mind though.

"That's interesting." Ink chuckled. "Are you any good?"

"Nope! That's why my hands are all tangly now." Inky smiled widely, wiggling his fingers to show off their new state; he giggled when the yarn tickled his wrists.

Ink chuckled, kneeling down next to the child. "Shall I help you get that off?"

"Okay! What are you doing here? I think TK told me, but I forgot."

Ink sighed as he began to extract the yarn from the child's fingers.

"We're here to inform you about something." He stated.

"Okay." Inky nodded.

Once the yarn was off, Inky grabbed Ink's hand and dragged him over to the table. "You can sit next to me."

Fresh took his seat at one end of the table, with TK across from him. The other children were seated on the long ends, waiting to hear what was about to be said.

"Aight. Let's start wit intros. I don' kno's a lot a ya." Fresh began, looking over everyone at the table. "I'll start. I'm Fresh, nice ta meet ya."

"I know who you are." The cloaked skeleton floated over to him, resting on his back and looking at Fresh upside down with empty sockets. "You're the new Protector."

"Guess so. What's your name, kiddo?"

The child, who appeared to be twelve, grinned and said simply,"Death."

Ink looked at the twelve year old curiously, before holding out his hand. "I'm Ink; it's nice to meet you!"

Death chuckled, but didn't take the hand. "Nice to meet you too, pal. You're the other Ink, right? Error was ranting about you."

The mentioned glitch had been glaring at Ink since he walked in the room.

"Uh, yeah..and I'm really sorry that this meeting has to happen, because it's all my fault." Ink confessed. "I would have killed myself by now to keep you safe, but Fresh told me not to, so I can't."

"I know." Death smiled eerily at Ink, before floating back over to the goat girl, a little Toriel.

The girl huffed and gave Death a glare. She looked over at Ink, and her face softened. "I'm sorry about him. He's always like that. I'm Life." She held her hand out to Ink. "We protect the balance between life and death."

"That's cool." Ink shook Life's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." Life said, before sitting back in her chair; she pointed at the humanish looking girl. "That's Core. She takes care of genocide survivors."

"Hello." Core spoke with an echoed voice, smiling.

"Hey." Ink waved. "Do you guys want some snacks?"

"Yeah!" Inky cheered, and a lot of the other children piped up to voice their agreement.

Some of the older ones tried to play it cool, but even they were interested in the snacks.

"All right!" Ink nodded, opening the bag of snacks and handing them out to whoever wanted some.

The only one who didn't accept some any snacks was Error; he had stopped glaring at Ink, though. Fresh decided to let the kids enjoy their snacks for a while before they got into the heavy stuff; he didn't want to ruin their appetites. This would also allow them time to get to know each other. For some of them, this was their first time meeting. Somehow, Life and Death seemed familiar with most of them. Death was especially familiar with Error and Lag, taking great delight in creeping the two out.

Life, however, was talking to Ink, delighted to meet someone from another world. "What's your multiverse like?"

"Um..well, we don't have you, Death, Lag, Fresh, or TK there..and everyone is adults instead of children." Ink informed. "And there's a lot of fighting."

"Really? But how are new people born?" Life asked, confused about how such a thing could be possible.

Death listened in, curious how it worked as well. Who did his job over there? Who collected the fallen?

"Well, they justare."Ink shrugged. "I guess our multiverse takes care of everything you would normally do here."

"Weird..." Death muttered, flipping over in the air. "Anyway, why are we here again?"

"We're 'bout ta get to dat." Fresh sighed, gesturing to Ink. "If ya could explain da sitch, dat would be good."

"Uh, all right.." Ink sighed. "I have an angry horde of possessive demons after me, and if no one can stop them, they're probably going to kill or possess everyone here unless I either give myself up willingly or take my life. Fresh has already stopped me from taking my life, so unless someone is strong enough to combat a group of beings that are stronger than anyone I currently know, I'm probably going to end up surrendering, so don't worry."

The room was silent as everyone took in that new information. There were many nervous looks shared. Error looked uncomfortable and was rubbing his wrists. Nightmare frowned and summoned one of his tentacles, studying the appendage, while Dream gave his brother a hug. They knew what it was like for someone else to be in control.

The silence was broken by Death commenting flippantly, "Guess I'll be busy then."

"Death! Now is no time for jokes!" Life scolded him.

"Okay." He shrugged. "But could you all die in one spot? That would be so much easier for me."

"There's really..no need to worry." Ink reassured. "It would be nice if someone could kill all of them..but I highly doubt that'll happen. I'll probably just end up giving myself up to them, and after a while, they'll forgive me for trying to escape, and I won't bother you anymore! Unless they try to make me kill everyone I care about here...that could be a problem. Um, I'm severely allergic to paint remover, so you can use that on me if I ever come here in a murderous frenzy! That'll debilitate me for long enough for you to regroup and find a way to end my life once and for all."

Death chuckled. "Yeah, I'm going to be busy..."

Life glared at him, and he stuck his tongue out at her.

"As ya kids can see, we're up against something much more powerful than us." Fresh informed, looking at each of the children in turn. "The thing you need to watch out for is a voice in your head. Ink says they'll start small, try to sound like a friend."

"What do these voices sound like?" TK wondered, a frown on his face.

"Um, well, mine started with just..weird comments." Ink explained. "It tries to blend in with your own thoughts at first, to suppress suspicion. It can also read your thoughts, so it can learn how you think. It might even just be reminders of things you had to do but forgot to! After a while of doing that, it starts to get a bit more bold, making comments that you wouldn't normally think, but still trying to blend in..until it finally begins to come out a little. You think something, and it replies. You speak, and it says something back. At some point..you just realize that there's another person in your mind..and you didn't even notice. Mine actually showed up three months before I finally realized it, so itcantake time! The first thing it said was..a comment about my outfit that day. Something I would have actually thought. They're sneaky; they take control over time, until you finally let them in. The most they can do before they actually physically possess your code is to heavily persuade you not to say anything, but..if you have this voice in your head, youhaveto say something..or it'll get you. If it knows that you know how to get rid of it, or if you have someone who can, it'll stay quiet for longer, trying to blend in for years just to convince you that you're perfectly fine, that you'vealwaysbeen this way. But..you haven't."

This unnerved the children. The idea that someone could creep into their thoughts like that, without them even knowing, was very concerning.

After a moment, Inky spoke up with a questioning voice. "Like Stringy?"

Thatcaught Fresh's attention. "What do ya mean by dat, kiddo?"

"Stringy talks in my head and says nice stuff." Inky explained, raising a hand to his head. "She's funny."

Fresh paled, and his gaze darted to Ink to catch his eye.

"..What does she say to you?" Ink asked, hesitantly.

"Stringy calls me silly. Butshe'sthe silly one. Wanna hear a joke she told me?" Inky giggled, already thinking about how silly it was.

Error looked over at Inky with a worried expression. Did one of these beings already get to his friend?

"Um..are you sure she's a girl?" Ink hoped. "As far as I know, the demons are only male..not female."

"I'm sure. She talks like this." Inky pitched his voice higher and squeakier, to an almost babyish tone."Hewwo! You silly. I tell jook. Da jook is chicken butt."

Ink chuckled. "Then, uh, she definitelyisn'tthe type of voice I'm talking about."

"Oh. Then what is she?"

"That's a good question." Fresh started; he was about to ask another question when-

"Isthatwhere you got that stupid joke?" Error asked irritably.

"It's not stupid!" Inky argued. "It's funny!"

"No, it's stupid."

"Is not!"

"Is too."

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Aight! Dat's enough ya two!" Fresh raised his voice over them. "Inky, what else does this voice say? Does she tell you to do stuff?"

"No." Inky shook his head while Error pouted. "She makes Error do stuff though."

Death lowered himself down to sit on the table; he looked contemplative as he looked between the previously arguing Guardians. Error was confused at first, but an uneasy look started to form.

"What do you mean?" Ink inquired.

He hoped there wasn't another type of demon in this world..if they were to work together with the ones from his world..things could have gone southrapidly.

"Uhhh...I don't know. I forgot." Inky turned to his friend and asked, "What does she make you do? When you leave and come back with the hearts?"

Error's eye twitched, as he knewexactlywhat Inky was talking about."Tha-tha-that'swho yo-you're talkingabou-ou-out?!"

"Uhhh...yes?" Inky said, confused.

Fresh groaned and rubbed his face; he knew what was going on here. Death chuckled, knowing as well what was happening. He shared a knowing look with Core, and she didn't look surprised.

"Uh..is this an inside joke, or something?" Ink wondered; he had no clue why Death found this amusing (although, based on what he had said so far, he probably should have expected the child to findanythingamusing), and why was Fresh so exasperated? What was he missing?

"What's an inside joke?" Inky asked in confusion.

"A joke only known to a few. Something that means something to a group of friends, but not to those outside of the group." Fresh answered him, before turning back to Ink. "They're talking aboutFate."

The way he spat the name out revealed his feelings towards the being, the underlying hatred barely held in.

"..Who?" Ink tilted his skull, unsure of who this 'Fate' person was.

"Fate. A being who treats people like puppets for her own amusement." Fresh said, with a grim expression.

Death's shoulders started shaking.

Inky frowned; that didn't sound very nice. "Stringy doesn't do that. She's nice!"

"I doubt that, kiddo." Fresh shook his head.

"She is! She's funny and nice!"

Error shook too, his glitches worsening, and Death started snickering; he wanted to tell them so badly. Ink frowned at Error, sorry that he had brought up the topic, but he mostly wondered why Death was laughing when Error was so obviously in distress!

"What are you laughing for?" He asked, as he handed Error a chocolate bar.

"Because they're freaking out over ababy!"He laughed.

Error snatched the chocolate and glared at Death. "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"It means you can't even fight aninfant!"Death grinned at Error, propping his chin on his hand. "You and the Protector are so scared of a wee little baby."

Fresh gave the dark child a confused look, irritated by the twelve year old's attitude.

Core took pity on them and explained. "He is correct. For as strong as she is, Fate is rather young."

"..I've seen three year olds kill people." Ink shrugged. "Age doesn't really matter to me."

"Fate is a guardian, as us. She is connected to the balance of Creation and Destruction." Core continued. "Because she is young, she is going off instinct. She doesn't know what she is doing, only that she needs to do it."

"What's a balance?" Inky wondered.

"It is what we are all apart of. You are the Creation side of your balance." Core explained. "You create universes."

"I do? I can do that?!" Inky looked excited by the idea.

"You already have, with Fate's help."

"I have?"

"Yes. You have simply forgotten."

"Oh. I forget a lot."

"Ah..I remember when I started being a Guardian in my multiverse...no one told me what I had to do, either.." Ink sighed. "Is there any way to contact her?"

"I can! I can call Stringy!" Inky held his hand up.

"How ya gonna do dat, kiddo?" Fresh asked, uneasy about bringing one ofthosehere.

"With this." Inky pulled out a red string from his inventory.

Error glared at the string with hatred, while the other children remained silent as they watched the discussion. Some confused, others less so.

"It would probably be best to conclude whether she's a threat or not." Ink reasoned, looking to Fresh. "Or..am I wrong?"

"...I may be rather biased against her. You kids seem to know her better, though." Fresh looked over at Death and Core.

"She is innocent in mind." Core said simply.

"Fate is even more childish than Inky." Death shrugged with a light smirk. "It would probably be better to bring her in now than let her grow up on her own, don't you think?"

"Aight then...Inky. Call her."

Inky nodded and closed his sockets.

It wasn't long before a glowing red light appeared above the table. It took shape, forming a small body. After a minute there was...

A one year old.

Sitting on the table.

Fate had red skin and hair. Lots of hair. Very tangled hair. She wore a simple pink dress and no shoes. Her facial features ware only two big, white eyes.

She looked around the group curiously, her expression brightening when she sees Inky. She started crawling over and babbling happily.

Error's glitches subsided in his shock. This was not what he was expecting from his tormentor. Even Fresh looked baffled. When Death said she was a baby...

Ink cooed at the baby, finding her absolutelyadorable!

"Hey, little one!" He grinned, talking in a high-pitched voice. "What are you up to, huh? What are you up to?

Fate lifted her head and sat back to study Ink. She tilted her head and pointed at him. "Ah! Inky...bih Inky!""

"You're socute!"Ink giggled, pulling out a cookie and holding it out to the child. "Do you want a snacky?"

Fate happily took the cookie and smashed it into her face. Most of it disappeared upon contact, but a lot of crumbs fell into her lap. She clapped her hands and giggled. The more Fresh watched the tiny Fate play and just be a baby, he felt even more confused. When learned there was a Fate in this multiverse, he had...he had almost left. If it hadn't been for the kids, he would have left.

"Yay!" Ink clapped with Fate. "You did it! Good job! You're such a cute little baby girl! Yes, you are! Yes, you are!"

Fate giggled some more and reached out to the adult, grabbing his hands. Small strings came out of her fingers and wrapped around his wrists. Her eyes went wide, and she cooed.

Ink felt a tingling on the surface of his code. It wasn't invasive, but it was there.

"Aww, magic baby!" Ink grinned. "Can you do magic? Can you? Yes! Yes, you can! You're doing such a good job, baby girl! Yeah, you are! Good job!"

Inky giggled at his older self; his voice was so silly! He looked at the baby guardian and stood up in his chair. He reached out to pat the baby, and she giggled.

Fresh leaned back in his chair with a contemplative expression. He muttered, "Was not expectin' dis..."

Neither was I. I thought she would be an adult.

Fresh hummed in thought. It would figure that a child multiverse would have a child Fate. He could see what Core meant by innocent, too. The baby was just that: a baby.

With a dangerous ability she didn't know how to control.

Little Fate was oblivious to Fresh's concerns and continued to play with Ink and Inky. Her version of play, however, involved using her strings to make Inky's arms move around. He didn't seem to mind, a big grin on his face as the baby laughed at the silky poses. Error looked uncomfortable and moved himself away from the baby. Baby or not, this being had forced him to kill people. Ink's attention was fully absorbed by the baby; he seemed to have forgotten the serious nature of the matter that had brought him and Fresh here. Instead of planning for his doom..he was playing peek-a-boo. Fate laughed loudly every time he said "peek-a-boo!" She would rock back and when she came forward again, she would try to grab his hands. Big Inky was funny!

"You're such a happy baby!" Ink cooed. "Yes, you are! Yes, you are!"

It seemed that Ink had mastered the art of the "baby voice," although it was a mystery where he could have picked it up.

Watching from a distance, Fresh muttered, "Why did you think she could help?"

Well, can't she read minds or something?

Fresh's glasses went blank, and his hand clenched into a fist on the table. He nodded as his attention went back to the others play with the baby. Even Death was having fun with the infant. Unlike with everyone else, who he avoided contact with, he was freely touching the baby. Booping her where a nose would be.

"See? Error and the Protector are bigger babies than she is." Death said with a mocking tone.

"They're not babies; they're just small children." Ink chuckled, in the process of teaching Fate how to high five. "There's a difference, even if it's a..smallone."

Fate didn't quite grasp the concept and kept trying to catch Ink's hands.

Death snickered and looked over at Fresh. "With the way he dresses, he must be. Looks like a toddler dressed him."

"Don't be rude, Death." Life piped up, handing Fate a pink flower.

Fate happily accepted the gift and shoved it into Ink's face.

"Fresh is an adult, just as much as I supposedly am." Ink informed, taking the flower and putting it in Fate's hair before creating a mirror to let her see herself.

Fate cooed and touched her expression. There was another her!

"Still stupid how he's scared of a little baby." Death huffed in amusement.

"Why is Fresh scared of Stringy?" Inky asked in confusion.

Death shrugged; how should he know?

"I don't know." Ink replied. "I don't know howanyonecould be scared of such a cutie baby! You're so cute! Yes, you are!"

Fate giggled at the attention and crawled over to Ink, reaching her arms out to be held, and Ink picked up the child as per silently requested, beginning to bounce her. Fate snuggled into the adult's arms, blinking her eyes sleepily. This was all very exciting, meeting all these new people. It was making her sleepy.

"Inky, I's gots a question fer ya." Fresh finally spoke up.

"What?" Inky looked over, having not heard what Fresh said. He was distracted by the baby.

"Has...'Stringy'ever read your mind? Like, has she responded to something you thought instead of said?"

Inky tilted his head and thought; after a minute he shrugged. "I don't remember."

"Of course not..." Fresh sighed; he looked over at Error and asked, "What about you, kiddo? Has she ever done that to you?"

"...Yes. I was hungry and she made me go to a bakery while I was-" Error cut himself off to hug himself; he didn't want to talk about it.

That answered Fresh's question, though. He was already considering how that could he helpful. What they could do to catch the corruption demons before it was too late.

"She's such a nice baby.." Ink commented, humming a lullaby to help the child sleep.

He had no clue where his love for children had come from...especially after everything he had done to them. He had scarred so many lives..it was a wonder he was even allowed near the little ones. He probably shouldn't have been. He should have been dragged away before he did something he would regret.

But he could ignore his urges for now...

This child deserved love, and he would give it to her for as long as she allowed him to.

"Hm, wit dat ability she could be able ta sense when a corruption demon is in someone's head," Fresh said, watching how gentle Ink was with the baby. "If we schedule regular checkups, we could catch dem before dey do any damage."

"..That could be possible.." Ink hummed. "But..we can't tell the person that it's happening when we do it...they'll be quiet if they know that someone with that ability is listening."

"So how are you going to check up on them? Wouldn't the corruption demons go quiet when they see the baby?" TK asked, looking over at the now-sleeping infant.

"Fate don' need ta be physically present ta get 'er strings on ya." Fresh informed him, with a serious expression. "So long as we can get 'er ta latch on ta who we wan' 'er to, den dis will work."

"I don't think that'll be hard." Ink smiled, rocking the baby as she slept. "She might even be able to just pick whose mind to keep track of if she's got a string on them already. But if she can't, we'll think of something..maybe a sewing club?"

"Hopefully she understands what we need her ta." Fresh said, eyeing the baby. She looked so innocent. Harmless.

"Don't worry. We will help explain it to her." Core gave him a small smile. "Fate will not understand, because she is so young, but we will still be able to get her to latch her strings on people."

"Aight. Thanks, kiddo."

"It is no problem. You will need one as well, however."

Fresh tensed, his fists tightening. He didn't take his gaze off the baby; he hadn't considered that one.

"Is something wrong?" Ink wondered, looking at Fresh in concern.

Y-EP

Fresh glanced at Ink and gave him a smile, forcing his body to relax. "Nah, broski! It's all good."

Core gave him a knowing look, but he ignored it. Nightmare looked at his daddy, sensing his true emotions.

He leaned back in his chair and looked around the table, subtly taking a breath to calm his beating SOUL. "Aight. Now's we got's a plan o' action, are dere any questions?"

There were none. The children were content with the plan, and only Error was against being connected to the baby. He didn't have much choice though, already being connected to her.

"What do we tell her?" Ink asked, gesturing to Fate.

"Dat she needs to tell us when dere's another voice in someone's head." Fresh replied. "She should be able to point us in da right direction."

"Maybe she can bring the person to you." Dream suggested. "Just like how she made Inky's arms move and stuff."

"Dat could work."

"They would know if their victims were being mobily manipulated like that." Ink informed. "They can do that too, if they feel the need to.." Ink paused. "And, um..aren't there more of you? That would need to know this? Isn't there a Dusttale Sans and a couple others? They should know this, too, just in case."

"I told them, but they just threw knives at me." TK sighed and rested his head on his hand. "I think what happened before left them tense. I'll fill them in later though. Or Inky could. They seem to like him still."

"Yeah! I could tell them! I like playing with Kills. He has cool stuff." Inky nodded.

"We'll send you a note then. Life, could you write it down for him?"

"Of course." She nodded, accepting a piece of paper from Death, and started to write down what they know.

"Inky can write, too." Ink informed, smiling; he had been so proud when his so-Inkyhad come home from school every day, knowing a little bit more each time. "He's not bad, for his age."

"Yeah! I'm a really good speller too." Inky smiled. "I can write the note and give it to them."

"Very well. I will tell you what they need to know." Life smiled kindly.

She handed him the paper and pencil, starting to tell him what he needed to know. Inky stuck his tongue out and wrote everything down. His handwriting wasn't the best, but it was legible.

"There! I did it! See?" Inky held the note up for Ink to see.

"Good job!" Ink smiled, happy that his...friendhad done so well; Inky deserved only the best..Ink was so proud of him.

"Aight. Inky can deliver dat ta da Murder Club den. Is dere anyone else who needs ta know 'bout dis?" Fresh checked.

"I'll tell Geno. He doesn't get out much, so he wouldn't know otherwise." Death said, lounging above the group once more.

"TK and I will tell the other Time Kids what's happening." Lag spoke up, and TK nodded, agreeing with that plan.

"And I will inform the other worlds of what has occurred." Core added.

"Aight. Guess dats settled den." Fresh nodded. "Now's we jus' got's ta find out how's Fate is gonna inform us when dere is a problem. Any ideas?"

"Stringy can talk a little. Maybe she can tell us!" Inky suggested.

"Mayhaps..."

"She could clap?" Ink offered an idea, not really sure. "I don't know.."

"Hm, we might have to wait until she wakes den. Ta see how's we can ask her." Fresh decided.

The baby in question was still deep asleep, not likely to wake any time soon.

"Yeah..so what should we do with her?" Ink wondered;someonehad to take care of the child..

"She can come home with us!" Dream suggested brightly.

Nightmare looksedover to his daddy, sensing his unease despite the calm exterior he presented.

"Dat could work." Fresh said. Who else was going to? The child who protected the dead?

"I can make a crib!" Ink volunteered. "And a nursery, if you want! I can also make baby toys, and a highchair, and soft blankets, and.."

Ink began to recite a long list of baby essentials, obviously enthusiastic about this prospect. It seemed that his mind had once again been turned from the serious matter of world-invading demons to something lighter.

"Alright den. Guess she's yer's now." Fresh smiled, happy to see Ink so excited about taking care of the baby.

Ink blinked, stopping in his tracks.His?The baby was...his?As in hischild?Ink couldn't take care of a child. Heknewhe couldn't! He had already had to fight off twenty thoughts about ways to torture this poor child, and if he had to deal with that constantly, he justknewhe would hurt her! He couldn't..he couldn't let himself do that to her. She was just a baby! A cute, innocent little baby! He wasn't fit to evenlookat her! He was a disgrace to monsterkind!

Ink deflated instantly, his gaze dropping to the ground.

"Ink? Ya aight dere buddy?" Fresh asked, frowning slightly.

Ink frowned up at his master.

"U-um..maybe me taking care of her isn't..the best idea." He said. "I, um..I'm..I'm having mental problems...if..if you understand..."

Ink didn't want to say the problem plainly in front of the children..they didn't need to hear it. Fresh would understand..he hoped.

"Ah...I gotcha. ya wanna take a break outside?" Fresh offered, keeping his expression calm so the children weren't worried.

"What's wrong?" Inky asked his adult self with a frown. Ink was just fine a minute ago.

"I, um...I just have to talk to Fresh." Ink did a horrible job of giving Inky a calming smile; he clearly wasn't having a good time. "Everything's all right."

Ink put baby Fate down on a soft chair before rushing outside.

"Wait right here, kiddos. We'll be back." Fresh stood up and followed Ink out the door, leaving a room full of confused children.

The few that knew what Ink had done to Inky shared looks. They hadn't been keen on the idea of that skeleton caring for the baby. Life got out of her chair, and she and Inky made sure Fate wouldn't fall off the chair.

Fresh walked up to Ink outside and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Hey dere, broski. Dis 'cause o' wat I said, ain't it?" Fresh sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Sorry, Ink. I shoulda realized dat would be a bit much."

"I..." Ink crossed his arms, looking down; this was probably the time to make some confessions..even if he really didn't want to. His master deserved to know..and the circumstances demanded it. "I'm not..good with kids. I..I used to be. I used to have a nephew..I practicallyraisedhim. But..after I was..you know..I just couldn't do it anymore. Children were like..they were justannoying!They scream, they cry, they bite, and I kept wondering how I'd nevernoticedit before! Monsters, humans, even babyanimalsweren't cute anymore! They were horrific! And I..I couldn't control myself around them. It took a lot of time before I learned to hide it..and I hurt a lot of kids in the process. Itorturedthem..evenbabies.When..when I took Inky in..I wanted to raise him to be like..me.I wanted to make him suffer..like I had suffered. I wanted to teach him that the world was cruel and that no one would help you exceptyourself,and to surivive, you have to hurt people. But..he ended up teachingmesomething..he showed me the joy of having someone around to brighten up your day..someone who made all the bad stuff go away.."

Ink let out a sob, rubbing tears away from his eyesockets with his sleeve.

"He..he was soniceto me.." Ink wept. "He was the first one in so long to actuallycare..and I did all thoseterriblethings to him! I...I can'tstandmyself..I hurt such awonderfulchild..and Idarehave the urges to hurtmore.."

Fresh's glasses went black, and he stared blankly at Ink, unsure what to do. He knew things had been bad when Inky was in the other multiverse. He had heard what happened from Error before he went after Ink and faced Broomie. He was well aware of Ink's urges and how dangerous those could be.

It was why he hadn't left the house or left Ink alone for long periods with any of the kids.

It was Fresh's responsibility to protect this multiverse comprised of children. He was the only thing standing between them and threats even adults would struggle with - the kind that could threaten their young worlds. Fresh had sworn to protect them from threats large and small, both internal and external.

That included the broken skeleton in front of him.

Fresh took a deep breath and sighed, his glasses returning to their default state. He stepped forward and wraps his arms around the leaner skeleton, tucking Ink's skull into his chest.

"I'm not going to tell you it's okay. Because honestly, that isn't." Fresh started, rubbing Ink's back. "What I am going to do is point out what I see you doing right now."

Fresh stopped to make sure Ink is listening. Once he was certain he had Ink's attention, he continued.

"I see you regret it. I see you holding back, so you don't hurt the kids. I see you play with them. I see you genuinely care about them. I see you remove yourself from the situation when you don't think you can handle it. I see you asking for help when you know you can't do it alone. " Fresh told him slowly, moving back to remove his glasses and press his forehead to Ink's. "I see youtrying.It's not enough, but it's a start."

Ink shivered against Fresh's skull, fists clenched - whether in rage at himself or fear for what he could do, not even Ink knew for sure. All he knew was that he was a monster - arealmonster.

"Why am I the one who makes bad things happen to innocent people?" Ink asked, his voice cracking. "I don't wanna make people suffer..b-but my mind keepstellingme to..o-over and over..I.."

Ink covered his face with his hands, sobbing into them.

"Because of what Broomie did to you. He messed with your head. It will take time for you to retrain your mind to accept something different." Fresh pulled Ink into a hug again, holding him close.

"..S-sometimes.." Ink's legs felt limp..he wanted to sit down. "I r-regret it...trying to f-fight. It was..e-easier..when I just..a-acted.."

Fresh lowered them to the stone ground. He wasn't sure which AU they were in, but it appeared they were somewhere in the Ruins.

"Sometimes that is the easier way - to give in and do what they tell you. To not think about it and just...let go." Fresh said quietly, his chest tightening. He swallowed and pulled the other into his lap and leaned against the hideout. "But the easy way isn't necessarily the right way."

"I-I know.." Ink let out a sob. "B-but..I've been d-d-doing it for solong..i-it's all Iknow..I'm so lost.."

Ink curled up in Fresh's hold, thinking about the past several decades of his life..thinking about all he had done. Ink had once considered himself a leader. He had been someone his friends had respected and looked to for guidance. Now, after all the years of conditioning? He was the one who needed guidance. He had been trained to need it. He had been reprimanded for acting on his own, even when his thought processes matched that of his master's; he had toaskto act. He had to getpermission.His ideas meant nothing without approval, and he had lived this way for so long that he had accepted that as fact. Fresh..confused him. He allowed Ink to go unpunished for things that his old master would have beaten him senseless for, and he had accepted Ink's judgment on things that..evenInkknew he was wrong about. No other master would have given Ink the responsibility of deciding what was best when it came to coping with his urges..but Fresh had. Fresh treated Ink more like a friend than a slave..but it wasn't Ink's place to judge. At least he knewthatmuch.

Ink was really a mess, wasn't he? He was lucky Fresh was kind enough to evenbotherwith him. Ink wanted to make his new master proud so much..but evenhehad said that Ink wasn't doing enough. Ink wondered if Fresh would hate him if he gave himself over to his pursuers to protect this world...

With Ink's luck..he would.

"I know, broski. I know..." Fresh sighed heavily, staring at the ground. "But I'm here for you. I'll be here to help you through this. Aight?"

"O-okay.." Ink nodded, arms wrapped around himself. "But wh-what should I d-do?"

"What you've been doing. Using alternative means to curb your urges. And when you feel like it's getting too much for you, then you remove yourself and tell me." Fresh said with a sigh; this was the best he could come up with. That, and... "And stay near me. If something happens, and you slip up, then I'll be there to help. Aight?"

"A-all right.." Ink wiped the rest of his tears away, finally pulling himself together. "I-I'll keep..doing that.."

Ink took another couple minutes to finish getting himself under control, and when he had, he exhaled slowly and stood up, looking at his master.

"I'm..okay now." Ink said. "Sorry for..breaking down like that. I'll try not to let it happen again.."

"You're okay. Letting your emotions out is healthy. If you keep them bottled up, then you run the risk of them affecting your judgment or making themselves a problem when you least want them to." Fresh enlightened, standing up as well and laying a hand on Ink's shoulder.

"..They do that anyway." Ink sighed. "I'm just not good with emotions; I haven't been for a long time. Being soulless..just makes it a lot harder. Sorry. We should probably get back now; I..don't deserve all this attention."

"As da one givin' da attention, shouldn' dat be fer me ta decide?" Fresh rose a brow with a small smile, slipping back into his accent. He seemed more comfortable with it.

Ink paused for a moment, before blinking in realization. He fell to his knees in an instant, bowing his skull in shame.

"I-I'm sosorry!"He apologized profusely. "I didn't realize what I was saying! I didn't mean to take control! I'm sorry! Please forgive me, m-m-Fresh!"

Ink continued to spout apologies, begging for his master's forgiveness.

Fresh cringed and kneeled down, taking Ink's hands in his own. He gave Ink's hands a comforting squeeze, regretting opening his mouth. "Hey! Hey! Dat's not what I meant! Ya did nothin' wrong. Ya got nothin' ta be sorry 'bout, aight? I'm sorry, Ink. I didn't mean ta fer it ta sound like dat."

Ink looked up at Fresh with a questioning gaze, thinking that he had been doing the right thing..was he mistaken?

"I-I don't?" He asked. "B-but I completely took c-control of the conversation, and..d-didn't you scold me f-for it..?"

Fresh shook his head with a light frown. "'m sorry it sounded like dat, but dat ain't what I meant. Ya didn't take control o' da convo, ya were jus' fine. What I was meanin' when I said dat was youdodeserve the attention, and I'm happy to give it."

"O-okay..thank you..I'm sorry for overreacting." Ink bowed his skull. "I just..I-I guess I..sorry.."

"Its aight, broski." Fresh pulled him into a light hug. "Yer still learnin.' It'll take time ta get used ta things."

"Th-thank you.." Ink hugged him back, nodding; he said nothing else..he didn't trust himself enough for that.

"No problem, broski..." Fresh said quietly, holding the other and offering as much comfort as he could.

Ink breathed quietly, calming himself down. He was fine. After a minute or so, he felt that he was back to normal, ready to go.

"I'm fine now..for real, this time." Ink chuckled softly.

"Aight den. Let's head back inside." Fresh hummed, standing up and helping Ink to his feet.

Ink nodded, rising and beginning to walk inside. He hoped the children weren't worried about him.

His hopes were in vain.

Inky tackled him in a hug as soon as he came back inside. "Are you okay? Do you feel better now?"

A few others looked over as well to check on the adults, curious as well. Fate had woken up at some point and was sitting in Life's lap, chewing on her long hair.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Ink confirmed, hugging Inky back. "I just..had to get some fresh air. I'm sorry for running out like that; it wasn't very thoughtful of me.."

"Its okay. I'm glad you're okay now." Inky replied with a smile. "Can we play now? I'm booored..."

"Of course." Ink nodded. "Whatever you want..as long as I'm allowed to."

Inky tilted his head in confusion. "Why wouldn't you be allowed? You're an adult!"

Fresh butted in before Ink could answer, to save himself from having to reexplain things to the forgetful child. "Even adults gotta ask for permission from time ta time. An' long as ya'll don' do nothin' dangerous, den yer good ta go."

"Okay! Come on, let's go play!" Inky dragged Ink back out of the room and outside. "I wanna play hide and seek!"

"All right!" Ink followed Inky willingly. "Do you want me to hide or count?"

"You go hide! I'll count." Inky ordered, holding his hands over his eyes and starting to count. This time, he got the numbers right.

"Okay!" Ink nodded, before running off.

Ink ran in one direction, hoping to find a good place to hide, but..he didn't find anything. By the time he decided that climbing a tree was his only option, he couldn't see the cabin anymore..which direction was it in, again? He sighed as he realized that he had gotten himself lost..that was justgreat.He hoped Inky would find him.

Inky wandered through the rather woodsy Ruins, looking for his counterpart among the bushes and under rocks. He wondered where he could be...

It wasn't long before even Inky was lost.

But that was okay! Inky was used to getting lost. At, he thought he was. Did it count as being lost if he didn't know where he was going in the first place?

Oh, well. That was a question to ponder another time. For now, he was- Oh! A pretty rock!

Inky became distracted and forgot what he came here for.

Ink had grown bored while waiting, and he had decided to paint something; the treeline was pretty. He created a canvas, a few paints, and a paintbrush, and he began to paint.

After about fifteen minutes, Fresh and a few other children went out to search for the missing artists. Hide and seek play time could vary, but after the talk he had with Ink, Fresh wasn't too fond of the idea leaving Ink alone for too long.

While TK and Lag searched the West side, Fresh and Core went to the East corridors.

"Now's where's duh ya think dey went?" Fresh asked, glancing down a branching hallway. There were a lot of bushes down that way.

Core hummed, looking forward. She could sense the two further along the path. They had not gone too far. The trees often confused those unfamiliar however.

By the time the search began, Ink had unfortunately forgotten about hide and seek, too; he was too focused on his painting. He really enjoyed his surroundings; it was nice to be in a place that felt safe, even if he was lost. He supposed Ruins were like that. Maybe it was the correlation with caretakers, but Ruins always made him feel safe. It was ironic, considering the fact that he had never actually befriended a Toriel or swap Asgore, and especially not any other swaps..it was probably just the stereotype.

Fresh and Core came across Inky first, the child having forgotten his goal early on.

"Whatcha got dere, Inky bro?" Fresh asked, squatting next to the child.

Somewhere, somehow, Inky had found chalk and was drawing on a smooth tree trunk. Something had stripped it of it's bark.

"Drawing." Inky answered, distracted by his art.

"I can see dat. Wanna help us look fer Ink now?"

"Oh! It's my turn to find him!" Inky realized, jumping up.

"Yep! Mind if we help?"

"Okay!"

Inky ran off ahead of them, jumping in leaf piles along the way.

Fresh chuckled and followed close behind. Even Core smiled at the child's enthusiasm.

Ink was half finished with his painting, now having forgotten why he was in a tree in the first place..why was he even in thisuniverse?He wasn't sure. All he was sure of was that this was a beautiful scene that deserved to be painted, and he was going to do it justice!

Fresh had to remind Inky multiple times why they were out here. Core wasn't very helpful with that, often joining Inky on his detours and playing whatever game that came to his little scatter brained mind.

Getting back on track, Core suggested Inky search among the trees for the other adult.

Inky circled tree trunks and looked under bushes. He jumped in leaf piles to search in them (or so he claimed) and squinted up at the branches. Eventually, he did spot a certain skeleton up in the trees. Painting?

"Found you!" Inky shouted, pointing up at Ink.

"Huh?" Ink blinked, looking up from his painting. "Oh, hi, Inky!"

He poofed his canvas and tools away for now before hopping out of the tree, landing in front of the search party and grinning.

"I got lost!" Ink informed, not having remembered the fact that hide and seek was involved. "Thanks for finding me!"

"No prob, broski." Fresh chuckled.

"I win!" Inky claimed, jumping up and down with a grin. "I win! I win! Now it'syourturn to count."

"It is?" Ink paused for a moment, trying to recall what that meant."Oh,right! I forgot! Okay, you go hide; I'll commence the counting!"

With that, Ink covered his eyesockets and began to count to twenty.

Inky ran off and hid in some bushes down the path. He satsuperstill as he waited for Ink to find him. Core went to hide with him, making Inky giggle. She held her finger to her mouth, and he nodded. He pressed his mouth shut and waited. Fresh sat to the side, deciding he would just watch.

"Twenty!" Ink called out, hoping Inky could hear him. "Ready or not, here I come!"

Ink hummed, skipping in one direction to search for Inky (and Core, but he didn't know that). When Inky giggled, Core placed her hand over his mouth. She did not want to be caught quite yet.

"Inky, where are you?" Ink inquired, skipping about. "I'm gonna find you!"

With Core's hand muffling Inky's giggles, it was hard to pinpoint their location behind the bushes.

"Inky!" Ink giggled, bouncing around. He looked up in trees, down in bushes, and even under rocks, just in case!

When Ink found their hiding spot, Inky squealed in delight. He jumped up and hugged Ink.

"You found us!" Inky said with a big grin.

"Looks like I did!" Ink hugged Inky back. "Good job hiding! You did great! We should probably get back now..what time is it, anyway?"

"Around three o' clock." Fresh informed him, standing up and walking over to them.

"It is snack time at the hideout. They have acquired cake." Core told them in a monotone, a small smile on her face.

"Aight, den. Guess we're having mo' snacks." Fresh said, wondering where they got the cake, but deciding it might be best not to ask.

"I guess that's irresistible!" Ink smiled, ready to go. "Let's move, then."

Inky grabbed Ink's hand and started running. "We're gonna beat you there!"

"Wrong way, kiddo." Fresh called out, starting in the other direction.

Inky corrected course and dragged Ink back to the hideout.

Ink giggled, running along with Inky; this was exciting! He had never actually had a childhood..he was glad that Inky could have one. Being an adult wasn't fun at all - too many worries and concerns.

"We're still going to get there first!" He joined in, happily.

Fresh chuckled and scooped Core up, placing her on his shoulders. "Nah, broski!We'regonna win!"

He ran behind them. He didn't want to make it unfair for the other two, but he wasn't going to hold back too much and be unfair to Core. Ink grinned at the competition, running as fast as Inky could handle; he didn't want the child to trip, after all! If he was giggling giddily as he ran, he didn't notice. Grinning wide, Fresh ran to catch up to them. Maybe winning wouldn't be a bad idea after all...

Winning's fun! I like winning things!

"Come on, Inky, they're catching up!" Ink urged, still grinning widely in his paces.

Fresh huffed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes, and picked up the pace, his long legs serving him and Core well as they run past.

Inky squawked in indignation and leaned forward, as if that would help him go faster.

"How is thishappening?!"Ink whined, running a bit faster. "We need more speed!"

Inky agreed and thought of a way to go faster. He grabbed onto Ink's arm tighter and lifted his legs. If Ink carried him, then they could gowayfaster!

"Good thinking!" Ink commented, speeding up to match (and hopefully surpass) Fresh's velocity.

"Oh, oh...think ya can beat us dere, do ya?" Fresh chuckled.

He kept a steady pace, even as Ink started to catch up.Boy,was Ink fast! Fresh started to wonder if he might actually lose this one.

Runfaster!

Ink chuckled; he was going to secure victory for himself and his s- friend...

In the end, Ink's long legs won him the race, as he and Inky beat the others to the hideout.

Panting, Fresh chuckled. "Nice...ya two did real good. Good game, yo."

"Good game!" Inky said excitedly. He and Core high fived.

"Good game!" Ink smiled tiredly; well, he could still run..but it was very tiring..and he wanted to collapse now. "What do..what are we going to do next?"

"Dey gots cake, so I guess we're havin' snacks." Fresh replied.

"Cake?!" Inky immediately dragged Ink inside.

Core followed the two at a slower pace, and chuckling, Fresh followed, too. Ink grinned; he liked cake! He hoped it was chocolate..if he would even be getting any. He probably wouldn't be. He was stupid for thinking he would. Dragging him back to the meeting room, Inky ran to the table and grabbed a piece of cake. He handed the cake (how wonderful, it happened to be chocolate) to Ink.

"Here you go!" Inky grinned, before turning to grab himself a slice.

Life handed him a plate and scolded him for using his hands, but Inky paid her no mind and proceeded to make a mess as he enjoyed his treat. Ink stared at the cake, before looking to Fresh, silently asking for his permission; Ink knew better than to do things like this without permission...he had known better for alongtime. Fresh nodded, giving Ink a small smile. He got his own slice of cake and took a bite. Ink grinned in response, beginning to eat his cake; it was really good! He wondered who had made the cake..

It was perhaps best not to question it. The children certainly weren't answering Fresh when he asked. They would look to the side and whistle innocently. TK and Death were currently trying to help Fate eat; it was an interesting experience. The food would either disappear or smear on her face. Or both. Ink smiled sadly at the baby, before a thought came to his mind.

"Uh..who's going to watch her?" Ink wondered, looking to Fresh.

Fresh hesitated, warily watching the baby. "I'll ask around for a more permanent situation, but fer now..." He glanced at Ink next to him and lowered his voice. "Think you'll be okay with one more kid in the house?"

"..I think so.." Ink nodded, fiddling with his fingers. "But I might have to leave the room sometimes..and I..I don't trust myself during the night..it's worse when I'm not entirely awake."

"I can make her a nursery while she's with us." Fresh said thoughtfully, already thinking of plans for the room. "And you'll move back into my room for now. Ya still got yer room in da day time, but at night yer with me."

Fresh didn't leave this one open. This wasn't the sort of situation hecouldleave open. No matter his reservations, he wasn't going to let a baby get hurt.

"Yes, Fresh." Ink nodded, understanding completely. "I'll do my best to control myself..at all times."

"Aight. If you need to step out at any time, let me know and go. If that's not enough, then tell me and we'll figure something out."

"Got it..thank you." Ink replied, taking another bite of his cake.

He hoped none of the children had been listening to that not-very-private conversation..and he wasn't going to look up to find out. He was going to stare at his cake. Fortunately for him, the only one who had "heard" was Fate. Her strings were still connected to Ink, invisible and unheeded by anything. Since Ink didn't know that, he continued to stare at his cake. He didn't look up until he finished. The children chattered on about this and that as they ate their cake. When they were finished, many went to play games - tag and hide and seek in the Ruins, or even just board games in the hideout. Fresh soon finished his own cake and started cleaning up the plates; he was not looking forward to getting crumbs and frosting out of the carpet...

When Ink noticed what Fresh was doing, he moved to help; a good slave helped his master whenever he could!

"Thanks, broski. Think ya can help me find a vacuum when we're done?" Fresh asked as he set the plates to the side and started wiping off the table.

"Of course." Ink nodded, taking the plates to the kitchen...

As soon as he could find a kitchen...

If this placehada kitchen..

Thankfully, there was a small little kitchenette towards the back of the hideout. There was a sink, a microwave, and a small refrigerator. Ink smiled contently and began to wash the dishes. When he finished, he went in search of a vacuum cleaner. There was a vacuum in a small closet. Someone had painted it to look like it had sharp teeth at the bottom; Ink chuckled at that, before bringing the vacuum back to his master. He didn't ask Fresh who was going to vacuum the floor; he started to do it himself.

Fresh didn't argue, instead letting Ink do his thing. "Thank, broski. Imma go watch da kiddos in da other room, k?"

"Okay." Ink nodded, continuing to vacuum.

Fresh left the room and went to see when Death, Fate, TK, and Inky were doing. It looked like Candyland. Ink continued to vacuum the floor, and when he finished, he decided that he would continue to clean; this room looked as if it could use some..help.There were paint splatters in random spots on the walls, drawings on every flat surface, discarded candy wrappers, and curious stains one could only guess the source of. The room had seen better days...

Ink created some cleaning supplies and went to work discarding trash into the void, scrubbing stains out of surfaces, and even cleaning the windows! By the time he was done, the room looked brand new. It had never looked cleaner. Ink smiled at the results of his labor, exhaling in relief; he was glad that he had made a difference! He wondered if he should have started work on the rest of the dwelling...

Fresh stepped into the room. "Hey, broski. Ya doin' ai- Oh! Nice work, Ink!" He smiled. "Room looks great."

"Thanks!" Ink grinned, happy that Fresh had chosen to grace his work with a compliment. "It was no trouble! It was actually a bit relaxing! Um..what time is it?"

"Getting close ta dinner time. Ya wanna join us for one last game 'fore we head out?"

"Sure, unless you want to go now." Ink nodded, ready and willing to play a game.

"I think Inky would like ta see ya 'fore we do." Fresh smiled. "Come on, da kiddos set up another round o' Candyland."

Fresh had never played so much Candyland in his life...

"All right." Ink followed Fresh, ready to play!

Inky jumped up and almost knocked over the board, running over. "Ink! You gonna play with us?"

"Yep!" Ink nodded. "Just one game, though."

"Awww...why not more?" Inky whined.

"'Fraid it'll be dinner time den, kiddo." Fresh informed him, rubbing his skull affectionately.

"But I'm not hungry!"

"Ya will be later, don' worry."

Fresh sat down cross-legged next to Life, who was holding baby Fate in her lap..Death was floating above them, taking a nap. Ink sat down at the board with everyone else who was playing, ready to get started! Inky sat down next to him and picked his piece; he handed one to Ink and took his turn first. Next was Life, then Fresh, and finally Ink. They went around like this for each turn. Ink wasn't doing very well in this game, since it was luck-based, but he was trying, at least. The children seemed to be enjoying themselves at least. In the end, Life won the game.

"Good job, kiddo." Fresh congratulated the goat girl.

"Thank you." She smiled as she tried to stop Fate from eating her ear.

"Good game!" Inky held his hand up for a high five, and Life returned the gesture.

"Good job." Ink smiled; he had had fun, too. He looked to Fresh. "I guess we're going now?"

"Yep...hm, Life?" Fresh looked at the goat girl.

"Yes?" She perked up.

"We'll be takin' Fate wit us."

"Oh! Okay." Life handed the baby over to him.

Fresh tensed as he held the infant; she was starting to nod off again. He stood up, holding her like he would any other infant, but he looked uncomfortable holding her.

"Aight, let's go get da twins an' head out." Fresh said to Ink.

"All right." Ink went to look for Nightmare and Dream.

The twins were playing just outside. Dream was hanging from a tree, while Nightmare built little houses out of sticks and things.

"Dream, Nightmare, it's time to go home." Ink informed, walking up behind them. "It's almost time for dinner, and you can't miss that."

"Dinner?! What are we eating?" Dream swung down and landed in a crouch. He smiled up at Ink, ready to go.

Nightmares stood up, silently saying goodbye to his little houses. He knew they wouldn't be there when they came back.

"I don't know yet." Ink admitted. "But if I'm making it, I'll make sure it's delicious!"

"Okay!" Dream ran inside to his daddy, and Nightmare followed at a slower pace.

Ink went inside, too, ready to go. When he got to Fresh, he smiled happily.

"Aight, we ready ta go, now?" Fresh returned the smile.

Dream and Nightmare nodded. Dream grabbed his free hand and swung it around.

"I'm ready." Ink confirmed, nodding. "Should I make dinner when we get back, or did you want to?"

Fresh opened a portal and the twins ran through. Fresh followed them and adjusted Fate in his arm.

"I gotta make dis kid a room, so I'd appreciate it if ya cooked tonight." Fresh said.

"Got it." Ink nodded firmly, walking through the portal. "I can make the room, too, if you just want to relax! I've got time!"

"Dat's aight. Imma just do it myself, K?" Fresh decided, as he closed the portal behind them. "We'll get things done faster if ya do da one while I take care o' da kiddo."

"All right." Ink replied. "Do you have any preferences for dinner?"

"Jus' somethin' simple - been a long day. I think da kiddos will be goin' ta bed soon, whether dey kno' or not."

"Got it." Ink nodded, walking towards the kitchen. Spaghetti was simple, and he could create some premade sauce to put on it.

While he did that, Fresh went down the hallway to create an extra room for Fate. He wanted it close by, just in case. The baby was already asleep, resting her head against his chest. Fresh laid his hand on the far wall and tapped into the code of the house. He made a simple room with all the necessities for a growing baby; he didn't know how long Fate would be with them, but he wanted to be prepared for anything she may need.

I can't believe I'm doing this...Fresh thought to himself as he set the baby into the brand-new crib. He stared down at the innocent face with a conflicted expression.

"I can' believe this is happenin'. A, why'd ya think dis was a good idea?" Fresh wondered aloud, brows creased.

It's a good idea. Just go with the flow.

"'Course you'd say dat. Ya ain't da one who got ta deal wit dis." Fresh muttered under his breath.

The voice giggled.

Fresh paused and his brows creased further. He stepped back from the crib and glanced up. "A? Something funny?"

The despair of others can be enjoyable at times. Don't dwell on it too much; you can laugh at me, too, you know.

"...Dat right." Fresh said slowly. He turned back to the infant in the crib, a sinking feeling in his chest.

He swallowed and looked down at the carpet with a blank look. His brows creased, and he considered the words and attitude of one of his greatest annoyances. "Hmm...dat's a new one. Ya finally showin' yer colors, A?"

His tone was light, but there's an edge to his words - an obvious distaste for the being he's speaking to.

The voice didn't respond; the conversation was abruptly cut off by a yelp from the kitchen. Fresh left the nursery and jogged to the kitchen.

He raised his brows in mild alarm. "Ink? What happened?"

Ink chuckled nervously; it seemed that he had fallen onto the floor.

"I slipped..sorry." He looked down. "I guess I should have dried the floor after mopping it.."

Fresh carefully walked over and helped Ink to his feet. "Probs, yeah. Ya aight?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." Ink confirmed. "Just clumsy. Dinner will be ready within twenty minutes. Do either Nightmare or Dream not like meat in their spaghetti sauce? Or do they not like sauce? Do they have any allergies? I don't want to poison them.."

"Dream don' care for meat in his sauce, but neither got no allergies." Fresh told him, relieved Ink wasn't hurt.

"All right, thank you." Ink smiled, getting back to work. He brought two jars of spaghetti sauce into existence - one with meat and one without.

"No prob." Fresh nodded, idly watching Ink cook with a far off thoughtful expression.

He was thinking back to the conversation he just had with Author. There was something off about her 'voice' and what she had said. And her laugh...he'd never heard her laugh before. That was...unusual. He wasn't sure what to make of the whole thing. With what they were expecting, it left him suspicious. But..he didn't have to worry about being possessed, right? He already had Author in his head. And if something happened, then she would tell him.

He sighed and shook his head, reaching under his glasses to rub his sockets.

Yeah, he was just being paranoid. They had a plan in place, and they still had time.

Everything would be fine.