Goth is not connecting the dots and just keeps adds stress for others around him

——-

Goth followed this strange black monster and started poking it with his magic. He knew it was considered 'rude' to do so but he didnt really care and most didnt notice when he did so. He wasn't surprised when it felt the same as the Negativity Guardian, as it would cut down on liabilities you surrounded yourself with.

He was led to a large room with beautiful wooden carved items that he had to touch. He searched every corner, as you never knew what surprises you could find. He felt glee at being somewhere new and enjoyed poking for any secrets. He ignored when Nightmare appeared as the other didnt seem to want his attention yet.

" Do you like it? There are others you can choose from? "

His excitement quickly left at having to interact with another again. His joy was always fleeting these days and he knew others were growing suspicious of his apathy. The years had really dragged and he just wanted to finally rest. Sadly he didn't see that happening for a while, so he would need to improve his acting again.

"It's lovely, thank you. What are the rules for staying here, sir?"

" No need for sir. You are not allowed to leave the castle without me or another of my choosing. You will attend all meals and don't attack others unprovoked ".

These seemed rather reasonable and not very numerous. He would have to look out for any 'obvious' rules that should be followed. His normal was very skewed from what he saw and it felt like learning to ride a bike again. Letting out your SOUL casually was apparently a big no no. He never meant to cause Reaper to faint! What exactly did the other think he was doing?!

He nodded in agreement and was then surrounded by the others tentacles. He wasn't sure what prompted this but he hoped he wasn't about to have his rib cage crushed, that really hurt.

Instead of pain it was a gentle pressure that coaxed him to follow the other. This place was massive as they passed numerous doors and tapestries. They finally stopped at a set of doors that looked well used, which the other opened.

There were more skeleton monsters in here and he perked up at the new faces.

" Boys, this is Goth. He will be staying for a while. Any damage to him i will double on you. Killer, BEHAVE ".

Damage? Why did the other care if he got hurt? Did he not know it would be impossible to dust him. Being a death God had its perks curses . He saw the knife being thrown but wasn't that worried. He knew it wouldn't get near him but he still tilted his head away to show proper caution. He learned others didn't like to feel their efforts for intimidation were unappreciated.

"A-are y-ou hung-ry Goth?"

The monster with a large crack in his skull seemed too kind hearted to be here but he knew looks could be deceiving. His death touch could easily kill everyone in the room with no issue after all.

"I am good, thank you. There is no need to feed me. My role sustains me enough".

It was wise to be polite to the possible chef but the other needn't have bothered. He hadn't eaten real food in years. The chocolate Reaper gifted him was nice but he no longer felt the thrill from eating it. His inventory was very full from it though.

Also he felt no ill effects from the lack of magical food as his role made it so he couldn't die until it was necessary. He was glad he had wings though, they were a useful distraction from the rest of his lax body language.

" You will be fed Goth. This isn't negotiable ".

Did he make Nightmare angry? He couldn't tell as the goop covered some vital features. The swaying tendrils might be showing anger but he was positive everyone else was annoyed. Was having another mouth to feed that bad? He would have to tread carefully for the duration of his 'stay' if that was the case. He would make sure to take less than the others just in case.

-

The stay wasn't that bad and it was almost peaceful with the repetitive routine. They did ask some odd questions though, so perhaps they were curious to what he knew?

"It's so hard to catch rabbit monsters. They just keep getting away from me, you know?"

Dust really seemed frustrated with this issue. He was happy to provide an answer. Afterall, following Reaper around let him see everything the multiverse had to offer. No one escapes Death forever after all.

"Shine something bright in their eyes to freeze them or make a sound like a distressed kit. They will run right to you as their instincts demand".

The silence after his answer must have shown how pleased they were, so he kept on reading a book he had found in Nightmares library. He was determined to read through as much as he could while he was there.

Killer was a strange monster, at seeing his SOUL constantly outside his body. He wasn't sure if it would be rude to ask about it so left it alone. He wasn't worried about doing his job as he wasn't really needed. Magic was great at speeding things up but he preferred going out himself or the apathy tended to sink in quicker.

"Hey Goth, what do human SOULS taste like?"

" Killer, stop asking everyone wh— "

"Depends on the colour. Red is usually spicy, so i would go for Blue if you dislike that"

That had been an intriguing thing to learn. SOUL consumption didn't affect him like it would other monsters. He had seen many monsters consume a human SOUL and lose their sense of self but with boosted powers. He had been curious and had nibbled some while collecting them. It was like a small pick me up and added a glossy sheen to his wings.

He wasn't sure why the others looked dismayed by these facts. He was sure he heard about the Destroyer eating weird things and he wasn't technically mortal. He wasn't uncivilised, he wouldn't hurt others to obtain a SOUL.

He was sure these monsters had high LOVE so this can't have been the worst thing they heard. He missed the darkness so much, it was easier to just drift with no worries.

Months passed as little change to his new routine occured. He felt himself grow twitchy and cursed his picky magic at not being able to make a portal. His wings were also growing itchy as he never really bothered to groom them. He usually went to Ink or Palette who always seemed pleased at the task. Maybe they liked how soft his feathers were? Pushing away these thoughts he grumpily knew he was going to have to ask.

"Nightmare? Can you help me with something?"

He wasn't sure why this caused the other to stare at him in disbelief and was that relief?

" Of course Goth. How can I help? "

"I need help grooming my wings. Can you do it?"

Was Nightmare blushing at what he asked? He knew that other feathered beings considered their wings very personal only for family and close friends to touch, but he just saw it as another body part. In his mind he could have been asking the other to pass a napkin at dinner time. When the other made no further movement his wings drooped. He could learn to do it himself...maybe. Turning around he was gently grabbed and placed on a stool by the others tendrils.

It was an enjoyable experience and he couldn't help but let out chirps at having itchy feathers taken out. He wasn't sure why the others hands were shaking but it didn't affect how smooth his movements were, so he let it be. He was pleased at the smooth feathers at the end and asked if he could come again if needed.

" o-of course you can. I'll catch u-up with you later, G-goth "

Poor guy must be stressed. Leaving him be he wandered to the living room and sat down near the knitting supplies. It was a repetitive task and let his thoughts float away. The Destroyer seemed to hang around a lot and had been happy to show him how to knit. He was still weirded out why the other kept trying to be close to him though. Maybe the parental bond came with instincts? He was sure he had blocked both bonds though. He didn't want to disturb Reaper so had made sure the other knew he was alive and left it at that. He was probably too busy working, with Goth not being there to help.

He did miss Palette and his family though. He liked how the mish mash of personalities meant he wasn't always the odd one out. He had seen Ink off paints and that made him seem lively in comparison.

-

He knew something new was going to happen when an UnderFell monster ran into the room. Listening in he learned of an ambush that had been planned for Error, which filled him with hope. He didn't wish ill on the Destroyer but if he died maybe Goth could be free from this life.

" Good job on getting the information Red. Your AU will be greatly rewarded. Boys, we have a war to win. Let's show them what we got "

It seemed everyone would be going to this ambush.

" Goth. Stay here and we will be back soon ".

Nightmare was joking right? He would be going no matter what anyone said. Even if he stayed here his role would force him to be present to witness the outcome. Watching the portal open he shifted to be invisible and flew in, making sure Nightmare didn't see him. He didn't want to test if a Guardian made his power useless.

The view from up high made him truly appreciate the effort Ink had put into this. It was an exact replica of Outertale but he didn't see any buildings nearby. He watched Nightmares' group dig at random points and bury an item, but otherwise it was dull. The true excitement came when Ink and hundreds of other SOULS appeared in his senses.

The fighting wasn't the worst he had seen as nobody had dusted yet. He was focusing on Nightmare fighting Dream when he was grabbed and held tight. He stiffened in shock then screeched in displeasure when he realised Ink had snatched him with no warning.

"I missed you so much! I'm so glad nothing bad happened. Why are you here Goth?"

He never noticed his wings flair or his eyes glow with power

" For my role afterall. The balance must be upheld and this is a chance it will be tipped, Creator "

He wasn't sure why Ink stiffened or why their hold tightened on him.

"I don't understand... w-what do you m-mean?"

" You are a balancer Ink. Did you never notice how Error destroyed if you made a certain number of AU's? Or how NIghtmare spread negativity when Dream had visited a lot of AU's?"

Ink can't have been this blind but the rapidly changing eye light shapes showed this might have been new information. 'Great, he is stuck in a role with high powered idiots running it'.

"That doesn't explain your presence Goth. They wouldn't have let you come, you have been missing for months!"

" If you killed Error I would need to bring him back of course. I am the swappable pice in this 'Game' after all"

Goth really needed to get better at reading emotions, as he wasn't sure what he said caused the Creator to stop the battle. Maybe it was boring seeing the ending early? Who knew what went on in Inks mind. He was dragged back to the present by being pushed into a portal, arriving at the Council of sans meeting room.

He was perplexed at seeing the Bad sans and Error here along with the Star sans and Reaper. He watched everyone sit on separate sides of the room with a clear divide between both groups.

"Goth, why don't you tell me what your role really means".

At least Ink had an idea what was going on so he readily obliged.

"I am the balancer for SOULS, which is mainly affected by the other balance keepers. Too much Destruction leads me to releasing SOULS from rest to be reborn to fill the space. Too much Creation means more SOULS are held in the great beyond"

Nothing new was stated by why did Reaper look shocked? Shouldn't he know this already?

"What happens when a balancer disappears, Goth"

"I'm used in exchange of course. You've heard an eye for an eye, like the humans say. I am the most replaceable one, so if one of you died my existence would be taken for your rebirth"

Blue surprisingly shouted out at that.

"HE HAS TO BE LYING. A BABYBONES SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT ROLE. MAYBE NIGHTMARE DID SOMETHING TO HIM"

"We don't have that sort of power Blue. Neither i or Nightmare can fully control the minds of monsters, let alone baby Gods"

Dream looked exhausted and he felt a surge of pity for the others' role. He was glad he was stuck in this one, he would be a terrible guardian. Maybe they wanted someone else for his role. He knew he wasn't as dutiful as others were so maybe they were worried about the multiverse?

"You can choose someone else for my role. It will only require Rea- father to do it. Should take seconds".

He hoped they said yes. This would be the best way to leave afertall. The apple twins were looking at him with suspicion, which was unfair. He couldn't help how happy the thought made him.

"YES! THAT IS PERFECT, LETS DO—"

" What does it require, Goth. You are leaving something out "

Rude! He only left the least important part out. Nightmare had gotten too good at reading him. He would hopefully avoid him from now on.

"Father just needs to use his scythe to cut my SOUL from the cycle. I would dust, but a new being would be chosen to replace me"

Why was Ink crying?! Why was Error staring at Reaper in disgust? The horror on the others' faces didn't help his confusion. He admittedly zoned out when discussion started up and only came back with Inks hand on his shoulder. Learning more talks would be had and maybe a truce sounded great! It would mean Palette would see his parents more but Ink didn't look happy.

Being dragged to Inks house was nice as was the nest they made in the living room. He basked in the warmth Dream and Palette exuded and ignored Reaper fluttering in the corner. He was too tired to be scolded for all the work he missed.

~~~~~~

Goth: I'm so helpful! Look at what i know

Bad Sans: *Stress*
-
Goth: *Explains how their death could be beneficial*

Everyone: *Stress intensifies*