Ink clutched his favorite toy close to his chest as he stared up at the strange skeleton he'd met a few days ago. He thinks he heard Nightmare call him Error. Error stared him down, the floating words around him that would glitch in and out occasionally catching Ink's attention.
"You are a hard headed little brat aren't you?" Error questioned, squatting down to be eye level with Ink.
Ink didn't answer him and stepped back to press into Dust's legs as he hugged the doll even closer. Error rolled his eyelights at his actions, which drew Ink's attention to the fact that while his left eye light appeared normal the right one was far smaller. Ink silently wondered if he had vision issues because of that.
"Relax brat, I'm not gonna take Anomaly 13 back, I can just make another one." Error said, making Ink relax a little.
"But Nightmare said you'd come back for him." He said confused, leaning back into Dust as a hand settled on his head.
"And usually I would, but that's not why I'm here." Error responded.
"Then why are you here?" Dust asked, petting Ink's head as he gave Error a wary look.
Nightmare had never been wrong before, so he had to be here for the doll. Ink also knew that he should give it back like Nightmare said, but it was his favorite. Even more than the other toys Dust had gotten for him.
"To give him this." Error replied, reaching into his coat and pulling out another doll.
Ink immediately perked up at the sight of it. It appeared to be a copy of Nightmare, tentacles and all.
"You don't seem like the type to make a gift for a kid and give it over for free." Dust commented, making Ink look up at him in confusion. Did some people not like giving gifts to people?
"Normally I'm not, but the kid is the Protector. He's literally my only ticket to having any chance of a balance being brought to our Multiverse in the future, so if that means bribery I'm willing to do it." Error replied, looking up at Dust and narrowing his eyes.
"That sounds less suspicious." Dust muttered, nudging Ink, "You can take it Ink."
Ink grinned and eagerly reached out for the new doll and hugged both of them to his chest happily.
"Thank you!" Ink said cheerily, smiling at Error. The black skeleton blinked at his thanks before he turned his head away as a blue blush spread across his cheeks.
"Yeah whatever brat." Error grumbled standing back up and stepping back a bit.
Ink quickly lost interest in the other as he turned to Dust and tugged on his sleeve, grinning up at him and Paps. Dust looked down at him, smiling slightly.
"Yes, Ink?" Dust asked, bending down and picking him up when Ink continued tugging.
"Can we go play now?" Ink asked as he snuggled into Dust's shoulder.
"I don't see why not, unless there's anything else you need Error?" Dust responded, looking at the black skeleton.
"Nah, just wanted to drop off the doll." Error said in response.
Dust didn't respond to him and turned to head down the hall Error had found them in. Ink waved the hand that was holding his first doll in goodbye at Error as they rounded the corner towards the library. Error squinted at him as he waved and managed to wave before Ink couldn't see him anymore. Ink settled into Dust's hold as he carried him to the library, where they normally played. Horror had been working on cleaning up a common area that he said they would eventually make his main play area since it would be better than a library where he often wanted to climb the shelves. Ink still didn't understand what was wrong with climbing the shelves, but Dust let him do it on occasion as long as he was nearby and it wasn't too high.
They made it to the library and Dust settled him in an area that had a weird couch thing and a couple comfy chairs with a coffee table.
"So what do we want to do today?" Dust asked, looking down at Ink.
"Can you read me a story!?" Ink asked eagerly, bouncing on his feet.
"Sure, go pick one." Dust replied, watching Ink eagerly set his dolls on one of the chairs before he hurried to the shelves.
Nightmare knew Error was there the moment he'd arrived. While the Destroyer didn't necessarily constantly live in a perpetual state of negativity, he was a naturally angry person and so it made it easy to track him when he was outside of his Anti-void. As such he tracked the other as he went from speaking with Ink and Dust, the former of which went from wary and grumpy to happy and excited quite quickly, to heading towards his office. He didn't look up from the different papers he was going over as the other entered.
He had set up resources for Horrortale already, but he needed to constantly check that the places he was getting supplies from had enough to continue supplying. Unlike Farmtale most of the AUs and Timelines under his dominion were limited in what they could provide and it often left him to wrangle and juggle papers to constantly keep resources coming in. So far only Horrortale was an AU he was actually required to provide for since his deal with Horror, but with Killer seeking some Neutral AUs to have under his direct Allegiance that might change soon.
He finally set the papers down when he heard the telltale sound of heavy glitching and felt the Destroyer's growing annoyance at being ignored.
"Yes, Error?" Nightmare asked, looking at the other.
"How much do you know about the Protector of Creation and The Destroyer?" Error asked in turn, causing Nightmare to tilt his head in slight confusion.
"You destroy and the Protector is supposed to be capable of protecting and fixing AUs and timelines from disasters such as Corruption." Nightmare answered, not understanding what Error was trying to convey.
"Not quite." Error said, sitting in a chair in front of his desk.
The Destroyer fiddled with his scarf for a moment seeming to collect his thoughts.
"As the Destroyer, my job is to make sure that issues such as the Corruption do not spread into AUs from far to infected AUs. In other words, if an AU or timeline becomes a danger to the Multiverse that the Protector cannot reverse, I remove it and its code so it doesn't do so to others. While in the past I didn't give much care to what I destroyed, the Corruption made me have to rethink how I should go about things.
"In turn The Protectors job is to ensure that each Timeline and AUs stories go as the Creators planned and fix any outside interference such as the Corruption. However, unlike myself, The Protector has a far more complex job than just protecting the worlds that already exist. The Protector also helps the Creators bring their creations to life within his domain."
"Domain? Like your Anti-void?" Nightmare inquired.
"Exactly, though, I doubt his will be anything like the Anti-void. Mine is that because of how I am an Error, I cannot leave it forever. I will always be called back. Ink obviously doesn't have that issue since the brat hasn't accidentally portaled there yet." Error replied easily.
"It couldn't be his original AUs space then either. Ink is too terrified of white spaces for it to be there and if it had been I do not think I would have been allowed to retrieve him."
"Most definitely not. The Anti-void while not openly vicious does affect everyone who enters it, it is why I do not force you to hold meetings with me there. We certainly don't need an errored Guardian of Negativity running around. No, Ink's domain will most likely only allow him to enter first and then allow others upon his permission if at all."
"So this is a space Ink could go to to escape from dangers if necessary?"
"It's a possibility. Won't know until you find his domain."
Nightmare contemplated that for a moment. He didn't like the idea of risking Ink teleporting at random to try and find this domain, but it was sounding like he might not have a choice.
"How soon does Ink need to find his domain?" Nightmare asked.
"As soon as possible. Especially to give him a safe place to go if he can't go to you." Error replied, making the Guardian curse.
"Ink doesn't even know how to open portals on his own, the last thing I want is to encourage him to open them to find this domain." Nightmare sighed.
Error simply shrugged in response.
"Is there any way you can assist in finding this domain?" Nightmare asked.
"Absolutely not. While I can somewhat control myself from destroying excessively, Ink's domain would be too much of a temptation. His domain will most likely be something that links him to any and all AUs and Timelines easily, making it a perfect target for me. Best to keep me oblivious on where or what his domain is no matter what." Error responded, his glitches worsening at the frantic way he rejected the idea.
"Very well. We'll have to play this by ear then and hope Ink doesn't end up opening to someplace dangerous."
"Don't use the castle. Ink's too young to properly open a portal without a risk of Corruption following him. Best to do these tests in an AU that is mostly empty and won't be a loss if Corruption over runs it."
Nightmare nodded thinking it over. He could use any Genocide Timeline that is not yet completely destroyed. He'd consider Something New or even Dreamtale, but no one knew what would happen to any beings that traveled the multiverse if their AUs started corrupting after they left. While he was an Outcode and shouldn't be affected if Dreamtale corrupted, Killer couldn't say the same. He wasn't willing to risk that. He'd have to try and figure out a way to Outcode his gang in case such a situation became a possibility, specifically Dust and Killer since they had no major links back to their AUs like Horror did.
"Well, that's all I came to tell you, best leave you to handle that headache." Error said, pulling a glare from Nightmare as he stood and opened a portal back to his Anti-void.
Sighing, Nightmare stood from his desk and moved to head for the library where he could feel the bright bubble of content happiness coming from their resident baby bones. He was really glad that Positive emotions didn't affect him unless it was in high concentrations because Ink was one of the brightest balls of Positive emotions he'd come across since he and Dream lived in Dreamtale. The thought of his brother had him scowling, before he brushed the thought aside and went to the library.
He entered to find Ink curled up into Dust's side while Dust read a book to him. They were scrunched together in one of the wingback chairs, showing no signs of noticing him as Dust read. He watched for a few moments, before stepping into their bubble and watching Ink immediately look at him.
Ink perked up at the sight of him and eagerly called his name as he wiggled free to go to him. Nightmare smiled as Ink reached him and tilted his head curiously at the new addition of a doll replica of himself in the child's hands.
"Hey Boss." Dust greeted easily.
"Nightmare, look what Error gave me! And he let me keep the first one!" Ink said excitedly, waving his doll replica up towards him happily.
"I see that. It seems you made quite the impression on him, for him to not only let you keep the first one, but make you a second one as well." Nightmare replied, picking him up when Ink excitedly grabbed onto his arm and tugged.
"Did you need something Boss?" Dust asked, standing up as he realized Nightmare hadn't come here to check on them.
Nightmare looked at him and nodded, before glancing to Ink as he snuggled into his shoulder.
"Error said that much like him, Ink should have a place that is his domain as the Protector of Creation. However, only Ink should be able to access it first since he has never been there before so unfortunately we have to find a place to allow him to test his newly discovered portal abilities to find it." Nightmare explained.
"Should we head for a near Genocide Timeline to test?" Dust asked.
"Yes, go collect Horror and then I will send you to collect Killer. Best to do this with as much protection for Ink in case any Corruption outbreaks happen while we are there." Nightmare instructed.
Dust nodded and took off to find Horror. He then turns his attention to the five-year-old in his arms and chuckles as Ink grins at him. It was sad how happy Ink became just by having someone's attention aimed at him, but Nightmare would be sure that he'd never question whether he was wanted in his castle.
"Are we going somewhere?" Ink asked, adjusting himself as he wrapped his arms around Nightmare's neck and snuggled into him again.
"Yes, we're going to see if we can't find a way for you to open a portal to a very special place." Nightmare replied, turning and leaving the library.
"What kind of place?"
"I'll tell you when we get to an AU."
Ink pouted, but settled in his arms as he walked down the hall. He could feel Dust and Horror making their way back to them and he met them halfway, which he then proceeded to open a portal for Dust to go collect Killer. They both appeared a few minutes later and Nightmare closed the portal behind them before turning and opening a new one. This one was to a Genocide Timeline that was near it's end. The only beings left that he could pick up were Sans, Asgore and Flowey. This Timeline would give them the time they needed to do this before it would either get destroyed or reset, while also not being a concern if it was destroyed by Corruption especially since it was a Negativetale AU. The AU would feed his own strength due to the level of negativity it had ensuring that anything that caused problems could be dealt with easily.
Killer stepped through first followed closely by Dust then Horror. Nightmare gave it a few moments for them to ensure the immediate area was safe before stepping through with Ink still in his arms. He was greeted by silence as most Genocide Timelines were and the cold feeling of the air around Snowdin.
"Alright Ink." Nightmare said, pulling the tiny child away from himself to set him down so he could look at him, "Error told me that you should be able to open a portal to a very special place that's just for you."
"Just for me?" Ink asked, perking up in excitement.
"Yes, he said that it has to do with you being the Protector of Creation, this place is a place that is directly for you and your abilities." Nightmare answered.
"How do we get there?" Ink asked eagerly.
"You are going to have to open a portal there. It may take a few times, but don't worry you can take as long as you need."
Ink blinked at him for a moment before seeming to look down in concentration. Nightmare waited patiently and nearly jumped when a black liquidy portal appeared right under Ink's feet. Before he could react Ink fell through with a yelp. Surprisingly it was Killer who leapt first and caught Ink as he was halfway through the portal and then followed the child through the portal when it seemed to grow to include him. Nightmare shot a tentacle out to catch Killer around the middle, but once again the portal simply grew and there was nothing the Guardian could do to keep himself from falling through either. The last thing he heard was Horror and Dust calling out before they were cut off as all three of them disappeared, the portal closing behind them.
Ink huffed as he landed on top of Killer and Nightmare instead of under them like he thought he would when they first fell through the portal. Instead Killer ended up at the bottom. Ink blinked in confusion as he looked around the strange place they landed, hugging his stuffie close in awe as he noticed all the floating islands with doors standing on them but no houses. There was a floating river that shined with all the colors of the rainbow and seemed to flow between the islands defying normal gravity.
The island they had fallen upon appeared to be the largest and had no door but some weirdly intricately designed standing mirror. Several of the islands above theirs appeared to have waterfalls of different colors falling from them into a large rainbow lake a few yards away.
Getting excited at the new place, Ink scrambled off of Nightmare and eagerly walked around the island. He passed the mirror as he heard Killer and Nightmare untangle themselves, his eyes briefly looking into the mirror before moving on and looking up at the river in awe.
"Wow, this place is interesting." Killer said, pulling Ink's attention back to him and Nightmare.
"This must be Ink's domain. Good job Ink, you got it on the first try." Nightmare praised, looking around in interest.
Ink beamed at the praise and scurried back to them happily when Killer squatted down to look at what appeared to be a grove of different types of flowers. Upon closer inspection the flowers were made of all sorts of art supplies such as tissue paper, ribbons and even clay. The whole field was made to resemble different types of flowers in different shades and colors.
"Never seen so many fake flowers before, wonder who made them." Killer said thoughtfully as Ink stopped beside him.
"The Doodlesphere did." Ink replied automatically, before blinking in surprise at the knowledge.
Nightmare and Killer had done the same thing and Ink looked to his guardian in confusion. Nightmare appeared slightly less confused than Killer.
"Is that what this place is called Ink, the Doodlesphere?" Nightmare asked, kneeling down so he was more eye level with Ink.
"Yes!" Ink replied, before blinking again, "How do I know that? I've never been here before."
"Not entirely sure, it most likely has to do with your Role as the Protector though." Nightmare replied easily, patting his head in comfort.
"Is that why the kid seems to be able to know things that he wouldn't normally?" Killer asked, gathering both their attention.
"Like what?" Nightmare asked.
"Like the fact I have toxic determination. He asked about it a couple weeks ago, I'd never mentioned it to anyone." Killer replied.
As if in answer to Killer's comments, Ink's eye lights drifted over the brief phantom flashes of code he saw over Killer's soul. Most appeared fine, but the ones closest to the outside of his target shaped SOUL showed the wrongness that Ink had questioned about before. Dust had a similar issue that he hadn't asked about yet around his skull and around Paps. As he focused on the code he took notice of the fact it appeared to be adjustable and some even capable of being removed. Without thinking Ink reached out, grabbing both of the adults' attention as they looked down at him. Before either realized what he was doing Ink grabbed the bad code and pulled it away from the rest causing Killer to gasp in surprise.
Nightmare's tentacle wrapped around Ink's middle and yanked him away as Killer collapsed to his knees, causing Ink to yelp in surprise.
"Ink what did you just do?" Nightmare asked frantically, bringing him up to eye level.
"There was bad code, I got rid of it." Ink replied, gripping his doll close as he feared he was in trouble.
"Killer are you alright?" Nightmare asked, taking Ink in his arms comfortingly as he looked at Killer.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm good, Boss. Better than I have been in a long while actually." Killer responded as he slowly pushed himself back to his feet, "Though a warning would be great next time alright squirt."
Ink didn't understand what that meant, but nodded since he didn't see any other bad codes on Killer.
"Great, now he's tapped into the code side of his abilities." Nightmare sighed, giving Ink a tired smile when he looked at him.
"Well, I still think the Portal powers are gonna be the main problem Boss." Killer commented, grinning as he received a glare from the Guardian.
"Come on, time to go home, we can explore this place further another time now that Ink has discovered it. Besides I can feel Horror and Dust's panic growing with every minute we're away." Nightmare said, turning and opening a portal.
Killer saluted and stepped through the portal, patting Ink on the head as he passed and soon Nightmare followed closing the portal behind them. None of them saw the brief flash from the mirror as it seemed to briefly show a skeleton within it before the image was gone.