Weeks later, Shino's POV

I smile as I watch everyone busy themselves with activities. Nobody was free. Well, Radier was but he just woke up. I put on my eye patch and look outside. Nobody is around. E!Pap is having Mama Geno and I wear eye-patches instead of glitches over our eyes to make ourselves less noticeable by enemies. It's worked so I am not complaining. I glance around and once ensuring that I'm all clear, I take this as a chance to go see Mister Cipher again. The past few weeks were full of me secretly going to see him and we'd chat. He wasn't going to tell me everything so easily of course. He needs to build trust with me and I need to trust him. So we've been chatting about random things to get a strong bond with each other's trust before he opens up about the things he nearly told me weeks ago. I got to see a different side to Cipher. Not the sinister deal-maker but just someone trying not to get killed in this multiverse. I'd laugh as he would joke about the wackiest encounters or deals he had with others. Despite being an enemy and a "high-contributor" to the multiverse problem as Science describes it, he's a really nice person.

Today I met him in the woods and he seemed to open up at long last.

"Renew came to me and wanted to make what seemed like a simple deal. But she kept making deals afterwards and used loopholes to ensure I don't find a way to break of my connection with her. And when those started running out, Renew started using threats. It got to a point where I was making deals to help her. Including the ones with Fresh. That was a repeat of the cycle she put me through except she positioned me as the culprit. I am honestly sorry for what I did to him but I can also honestly say that every time he asked me where his Deccy was, I honestly didn't know. Renew was the one who hid him away, she only sent me to keep Fresh in her control which of course failed. Every time I didn't listen, she'd threaten someone close to me and at first I thought she was bluffing, but then I couldn't find that person anywhere and I thought the worst. That convinced me that Renew has some truth to her words and I thought it was better to listen to her if I wanted that someone to be ok when I finally locate him. Shino, I am honestly sorry for everything I did to you all. I didn't know any better. I thought deals got me into this mess and could get me out, but that didn't work. I knew nothing but using deals to get past problems, I wasn't familiar with other methods. And it caused so much trouble that I didn't mean to cause."He explains, apologizing sincerely

I smile, seeing genuine regret and sorrow in his gaze.

I was right...I knew it! There is more to him than just an accomplice! He's not exactly a willing one!

I hug him with a big grin.

"I knew it! I knew it! I knew there was more to you than it seemed!"I cheer

"W-What?"He says

"Your values and known personality didn't exactly line up with someone that would help Renew that much. It seemed unnatural. I knew there had to be more to you! And there is good in you after all!"I say

I look at him. He seems nervous.

"Cipher, I can try to help locate whoever you are trying to protect. I can find them based on their code. Who are you protecting?"I ask

His eyes twinkle with what looked like hope.

"Error 404."He replies

I look at him in surprise, then grin.

"Oh! I know him! He-"I begin

But unfortunately we got interrupted before I could tell him that Mister 404 is here, safe and sound.

My soul turns blue and I get pulled backwards without warning. Cipher looks alarmed. He follows me as I get pulled backwards but hides behind a tree in case it is just a friend of mine I guess.

I feel two arms wrap around me from behind.

"Shino! There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere!"Error 404 says, looking at me

"Is something wrong?"I ask

"Not originally but now there is! What was Cipher doing with you? Did he hurt you? Are you okay?"He asks

Oh dear...This cannot go well.

Everyone filled Mister 404 in on the details of everything that happened and he explained what was done to him. Immediately, the majority of the adults pointed the finger to Cipher, saying that he probably betrayed Mister 404 for some deal. They spoke as if Cipher was an animal that would do anything for a treat/deal when that is really not the case. But Mister 404 doesn't know the whole story. And now he saw me with Cipher! He probably thinks the worst! And it doesn't help Cipher that Mister 404 is protective of me like a guardian.

"We were just talking! He didn't! I'm fine! We weren't done!"I say

Then a yellow glow surrounds me and I get pulled back to Cipher, who holds me protectively now.

"You okay?"He asks

I nod.

"Good."He says, setting me down beside him

Mister 404 comes over quickly, keeping his hood up so nobody he doesn't trust recognizes him or comes after him.

"It's rude to interrupt a conversation you know, especially one so private and so rudely like you did."Cipher says, clearly not realizing who he is talking to

"Well when it comes to you, private chats are dangerous. Don't want you tricking her with deals."Mister 404 says

"There is nothing I could give her! She has everything she could want! And I am not only about deals! And she is smart enough to see the tricks anyways!"He snaps

Mister 404 glares at him.

"Last time I checked, talking to other people was legal and free of judgement!"Cipher says

"E!Gaster has told me what you've been doing. So really when it comes to you, there is a high chance of a crime following a conversation."Mister 404 says

"Oh yeah! Because that guy is sooooooo trustworthy! Do you even know what he is guilty of? They are lucky that I never made a deal with him! His former assistant literally tried to dismember the Star Sanses AND abused Nightmare ya know! So be careful who you believe with your sources!"Cipher says

I was basically stuck between the bickering duo.

"Well if it wasn't a deal, then what were you talking to her about?"Mister 404 asks

"That is private and none of your business! Mostly casual conversation. Ya know, LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE DO WHEN TALKING?"Cipher says

"And why should I believe that? You've lied your way to destroy the multiverse after all."He says

"Why in the world would I do that?! That ruins everything I worked towards if I help destroy the multiverse! I'll be starting at square one with strangers again! And second, why would I choose NOW of all times to try to do that? A friend of mine is literally THIS close to achieving their life's goal! Do I look like a human? Cause that sounds more like a human that resets the world after letting everyone see the surface! Which, unlike them, I WOULD NEVER DO!"Cipher says

"Why not? Because all I hear about you is that you're a traitor!"Mister 404 snaps

I check their souls to see they had strings tying them together. They both seem unaware to it or what it means if they saw it.  They started circling each other like they were going to get physical.

"BECAUSE I AM HIS FRIEND AND FRIENDS DO NOT STAB EACH OTHER IN THE BACK! Let me ask you something. Would you betray your most beloved friend at any cost? And what you hear are just rumors! Which would you rather people believe? Rumors or memories and facts when you actually get to know the person? And who are you to judge? NOBODY IS PERFECT! NOT ME NOT YOU OR ANYONE! Who the hell even are you?"Cipher snaps

Mister 404 goes silent. He lowers his hood and looks Cipher dead in the eyes.

"I am the friend Renew says you sold to her in a deal! Real trustworthy aren't ya? How much of a stab would you consider that, huh? I trusted you and you handed me over for nothing! You ruin everything and claim to be innocent!"He snaps at Cipher

All the anger in Cipher melted away. He stares at Mister 404 in shock. Tears even take form in his eyes.

"So you know what I have to say to you, Cipher? You can take your stupid hat, false innocence and crocodile tears down to hell!"Mister 404 says, summoning a big hand and knocking Cipher away

"Mister Cipher!"I yell, wtach him go flying into the distance

A notebook falls from him and I catch it. I look at it and see a recording device taped to it. I recognize both items. I sigh.

"There, we're safe now, Shino."Mister 404 says

I glance at him. He looks proud of himself.

"Why do you look upset?"He asks

"I was never in danger! You instegated that entire thing! Those tears were real and you were a jerk to him! You really rely on bad sources. And were you even listening to him? He was being honest and made good points. You just stabbed him in the back. You really believe Renew over your own friend? Renew lies all the time! What next, you're going to listen to wikepedia and believe that the earth is flat?"I ask

"You can't possibly believe him after everything he did."He says

"That doesn't answer my questions I asked you."I say

He is silent.

"I'm not naive, Mister 404. I've spent time to get to know him and find evidence behind his words. You, nor does anybody at home, know the whole story with him. He showed me things to prove it. He kept records of every encounter, every conversation and it proves he was telling the truth. He didn't sell you to her in a deal, he was clueless to your location. He made mistakes and went down the wrong path, everyone does it from time to time. Renew tricked and trapped him in his deals and when those wouldn't work, she threatened the ones he treasures most. Kinda like Mister Fresh's situation with his Deccy. He did everything he could to ensure that the one he treasures most doesn't get hurt by Renew, which was doing what she said. And Mr. E!Gaster is not a trustworthy source either. He would beat Cipher until he obeyed and did things just as bad as Renew. He searched for that person whenever he could. He did everything he knew he could do."I say

"Right...Sure he did. Then why did he smile while doing these bad deeds?"He says

"He was trying to keep you safe, Mister 404. You're the one he treasures. He smiled because he had to seem like an enemy. Even the slightest change of his behavior towards us meant Renew would hurt you and if he tried to join us, he was told that you'd get killed. And based on how wounded you were when I found you, he wasn't mistaken to worry. All the evidence is in here and in his words. If you stopped to listen like a good friend, you would've known. Just a little trust and it would've been made clear. There is good in anyone and anyone can get a second chance to be good if they try. That includes him."I say, handing the books and recordings to him

He just stares at what I handed him. He looks at me, uncertain.

"And for you to say that he was pretending to be innocent is wrong. He never once tried to say he was a saint or innocent. He knows everything he did is wrong and he apologized for it. Put yourself in his shoes and hat, Mister 404. Imagine being blackmailed for a long time with the one person you treasure and trust the most being held somewhere you can't reach with their life on the line. What would you do to get them back? Because he did everything. Rules didn't apply anymore to him as long as he found you okay in the end. Would rules still apply to you if you could save them? Now all you know is that they're in danger and you finally start to find a solution or someone else to help, but what seems to be a stranger takes them from you and starts a fight with you. The stranger reveals to be the person you've been trying to protect except they blame you and have turned against you. They take your trust and slice it to bits, trusting enemies and strangers over you despite everything you've done and not giving you a chance to explain yourself. How would you feel? What would you think?"I explain

"I'd say that treasured person didn't deserve the trust or protection in the first place."He says

"Then that's you, Mister 404. Your answer connects to you because you were that treasured person that did it to him."I say

He plays the recordings and his eye-lights shrink, hearing the truth being revealed.

"Oh and remember how you said that we were put in that other world to find our soulmates and hurt them? Don't worry about your soulmate, you already did enough damages. Just check your soul and you'll understand."I say

I run off to locate Mr. Cipher, finding him climbing down from a tree with torn clothes, pieces of it caught on branches. Then things seemed to sink in. He didn't even see me, he just broke down sobbing.

I slowly approach him. He looks at me and I look at him with a frown.

"What are you doing here?"He asks, sounding as broken as he looks

"I'm here to help you."I say

"Even after what he said?"He asks

I nod.

"I trust you with your evidence and actions, not the lies and lack of evidence that Mister 404 believed with Renew's words."I say, hugging him

He hugs me gently, crying and thanking me multiple times. He let all his emotions out to me right there and then.

"You know what? Screw him! Screw the deals! Screw everything! I WILL start from square one again! I don't care! Except I'll be better!"He says

I look at him and snap my fingers. Fresh clothes appear on him. I check his soul and see that his string broke off. That was very telling to me.

"There you go. You shouldn't start off in torn clothes after all."I say

He looks at me and smiles.

"You're the only one I'll focus on protecting instead."He says, lifting me onto his shoulders

He starts wandering around, planning what to do next. He tossed away his hat and old clothes. He really is turning over a new leaf. We get nice cream and eat together. He gets a call and talks a bit. He even let me talk on his phone to his brother Willful!Papyrus or Will for short. Nobody but we know where he is. By the end of it, there was a plan made. He will stay hidden because he is the only other person Cipher feels like he can't lose. He carries me off to wander. But we get stopped.

"Hey, Shino! Who might this be?"Ink asks

"This is my friend! We're going to explore!"I say

"She'll be back in time for dinner, don't worry.Nice new look by the way, Ink. And I wish your father-in-law good luck with a certain Undyne."Cipher says, then keeps walking

We sit down, chilling and chatting after a while. Surprisingly Ink didn't tattle on us. E!Pap notices us and comes over. That seems to spark a memory. 

"Tell everyone to evacuate the houses."He says

I send a message in the group chat and it was done.

Before E!Pap could do anything, everything went blank. No sight, smells, sound, nothing.

What is going on? Did Renew destroy the world?

Then I suddenly get put into this antivoid. I check the code, finding multiple firewalls to keep me in.

"Welp, Renew just bombed your houses with chemicals and ammunition strong enough to dstroy the multiverse."Cipher says, appearing beside me

"Wait, so is it all gone?"I ask

"No, or we would be gone as well. It's just growing from the bottom up again with a few AUs and the original, but I'm sure it won't take long for it to expand. There needs to be balance after all and this causes too much destruction. It will certainly cause a spike in creation or recreation."He says

Then a bunch of kids appear, looking very lost. 

(Imagine all the ship children in existence forced into an anti-void, that's how many that came in.)

My friends and brothers see me beside Cipher.

"SHINO! THERE YOU ARE! Get away from him!"Raven snaps

"What the hell are you doing with our sister?!"Goth snaps

"SHINO!"Radier exclaims, hugging me

"Guys, relax! He is on our side!"I say

"Seriously?"Radier says

"Mhm. He had a similar situation that Mister Fresh had."I say

"How come he is here?"Raven asks

"I know too much."Cipher simply says

"YES! My plan worked!"An unwanted voice says

I see Renew drop in, her joy turning to confusion.

"Wait, why was I put here?"She asks

"Oh! I think I may know! You never made a deal with me to be kept in the renewed multiverse, and since at this point Ink and Error haven't befriended each other, Ink!Pap hasn't met him and hasn't gotten enraged to draw and create you. Therefore, in this multiverse, you never existed. So long!~"Cipher says

Part of me took pleasure in seeing Renew fade away, as if she never existed.

"Who knew her goal and master scheme would be her downfall....Now let's check on the multiverse."Cipher says

Goth, Raven, Radier, Gradient, Blueprint, Bluescreen, Cipher and I open peekholes. Multiple. The rest peeked or sat in front of us to see. Jasper and Ghastly sat in front of me. Many of the kids I didn't know started to disappear, as if they teleported. I see that they were quickly being put into timelines as some developed quicker than others. The multiverse was like a seed that was quickly growing roots and branches. Or it was like a hydra, you cut of one of its heads and it will just come back. But for us, we were stuck here. The versions of our families were based on code. And with all the adoptions that the versions of our parents did for us, it altered the code to match with them. Gradient was overjoyed, happy to be stuck with a parent that actually would care about him.

Currently, these are the situations of our parents and our friends:

Error is trapped in his anti-void. E!Pap and E!Gaster are the same, but each are seperated as well and can't reach us.

Ink and his brother are still abandoned doodles. Ink has not attempted to break free and become soulless yet.

Mama Geno is stuck in the save screen. Reaper is still doing work, unaware to Geno's existence.

Blue is enjoying himself in his world with his brother.

Dust is on a genocide run.

Classic is with his Paps at home.

Fell is getting bossed around by his brother.

Horror is in his world, swinging his axe carelessly.

Swap!Geno and Reaper are chilling.

Lust is hiding in his room in his world, seeming down.

SwapFell is in his world.

The Fell versions of my family and Palette are just being themselves in their worlds.

Fresh is skating through the AUs, just meeting Deccy.

Dream and Nightmare are still in their AU. Nightmare is unfortunately getting bullied.

Cross and X!Chara are in their broken world.

Killer is in his timeline, killing of course.

Outer is floating around in his world.

Science is causing destruction with his experiments safely contained in his lab.

TK is traveling already, ready to explore the multiverse. He just found Stärke, who was reading a kermit meme book. 

Encre and his friends are in the village hanging out while Fallacy is with his sister, Poussiere, and Suave. Mr. Dev is wandering the woods. None of them have met outside of their regions it seems. Jasper actually got to see his mother so this was far before Fallacy will meet Encre.

Error 404 is watching the AUs in his own place, seeming unaware to what happened. Or maybe he knows and just has a good poker face.

Everyone seems to be doing their own thing.

"Oh! This is interesting...."Cipher says

"What?"I ask

"It seems the blast range went far beyond our multiverse. It made rips in the multiverses and now other multiverses seem to be colliding. LOOK!"He says, pointing to a few peekholes

I watch as they show proof of his point. I see Mystery, Arthur, Vivi, Shirimori, Lewis and some of his dead beat ghosts from Mystery Skulls animated enter numerous worlds seperately. The Avatar teams and different element nations start dropping in, Appa soaring through a portal into Underswap. The Teen Titans enter a timeline, looking very confused while their gigantic Trigon came into Outertale. The Owl House gang started spilling into worlds like Storyshift or Altertale. 

"What kind of dimension is this?"I hear a voice say

Entering Dancetale was Stanford, who had asked the question, with his brother Stanley. Dipper and Mabel and other Gravity falls characters started joining them.

"Hey, look! It's you Cipher!"Raven says, pointing to the floating dorito/illuminati with a bow tie and hat that is Bill Cipher.

We all gazed at the peekholes, watching this all unfold.

"This will certainly alter things in the multiverse and the timelines. Things will be different, that's for sure."Jasper says

We nod.

"Wait, will we even remember anything when we get put in there?"Faith asks

We look at each other and shrug.

"Well, I can't forget anything. I watch everything. Plus code doesn't work on my mind so I'll remember. And I found these when I dropped in here."Cipher says, showing E!Pap's scrapbooks or photo albums

My friends and siblings started to whisper amongst themselves, putting their phones with all their memories and videos into a bag. I look to Cipher.

"I got an idea! How about we make our first deal of the new multiverse? I will protect you and all your memories as long as you stay my friend."He says, extending his hand

His clothes change back to his original ones and tucks the book away. I  smile and shake it.

"Deal!"I say cheerfully

I hear a high pitch laugh. I see through a peekhole was Bill staring back.

"Well well well well well well well well well! What do we have here? The watched have started watching? How peculiar."Bill says

"I am literally you! Well, this multiverse's version of you!"Cipher says

"Oh! Is that kid Shooting Star then?"Bill asks looking at me with the symbol for Mabel as his pupil

"You could say that..."He says, putting a hand in front of me protectively

"Hmm, come on. One weirdmageddon is chaotic, but imagine the possibilities of two!"Bill says

Cipher looks at me.

"It would be good to see what we're dealing with..."He whispers

He looks at Bill and shrugs.

"Okay."He says

No sooner did those words leave his mouth did Bill take him out of this void space to join him as they ventured across the multiverse. My brothers and friends all began to kiss or hug, not knowing when we'll see each other, in what conditions or if we'll even remember each other. Jasper looks at me and sighs.

"I think the worst part of his is that I'll be in a universe cut off from all of you so it's not like if I forget you all I can just open a portal to see you again...."He says

"Don't worry! I promise that I will come to your universe so we can play together! Wait, I got an idea!"I say, taking something out of my pocket

I hand it to him.

"What's this?"He asks

"It's a portal device! With a few clicks it makes portals to wherever you want to go! If you get put into your AU with it, it may not stay with you but it will be placed nearby! Like hidden in a room or something! Still, it may be useful to have with how chaotic this new multiverse has already become. This way you can get out of your world if you ever want or need to."I explain

He hugs me tightly.

"Thank you!"He cheers

Then he got put in his world as an adorable little baby. The device appears on a shelf by his crib and he already was eyeing it. I giggle, watching as he hid it under his pillow before Suave came in to clean.

Those of us remaining just sat and watched the multiverse unfold.

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TBC