-Balance Castle-

Classic looked around wide socketed at the entry hall.  "When you said castle I had no idea it was anything like this size."

"It wasn't always this big but dad never stopped building, rebuilding, and redecorating especially the outer keep.  Not sure why."  Fresh 404 uses his strings on a bell pull.

Rose looks sad for a moment then smiles. "Staying busy with things you like can be comforting."

Before Classic could say anything Milly stepped into the hall.  "Welcome home Lord Fresh 404 how may we be of service?"

Fresh 404 sighs, "come on Milly we told you to cut that lord stuff.  We need a guide to rooms for Powder, and Rose, family until.  Classic I will open a portal for you if you need it."

"I can make my own portal kid.  You done for the day?"  Classic didn't need to be told he was being kicked out of the AU.

Fresh 404 nodded watching Classic waiting for him to make his portal.

"See you next time, kid try to stay safe." Opening a portal Classic walks through to council HQ.

-Council HQ-

G saw Classic come out of the portal room with his hands stuffed in his pockets and his shoulders slumped.  "Hey Classic what's wrong?"

Classic looks up at G.  "I think the kid hates me more than other council members.  I mean when Razz came back with Slim and Inky he was so enthusiastic about how nice the kid is, and Edge volunteered to look after a HorrorTale Sans and his brother so the kid could finish his rounds and get some rest.  Geno was excited to hang out with him tomorrow when he isn't even excited to hang out with Reaper.  But the kid acts like..." He sighs shoulders slumping farther.  "Like he knows every sin crawling on my back and only tolerates me because of the contract and the multiverse."

G looks at the floor thinking hard. "He probably does know all our sins or can find them out easily.  It sounds like he is favoring those he sees as family or who have had his parents favor at one time or another.  The question is does he care about all our sins or just those that have to do with his family?"

Classic shrugs, "either way I don't think the kid is going to accept me as a companion with anything but grudging tolerance anytime soon."

"You seem really down about that, did you want to spend time with him?"  G frowns trying to understand what is bugging Classic they all knew the kid was putting up with them for the multiverse and not out of any liking.

"I just don't know how to react. He is doing his best to save our collective tailbones.  While being kind to most of those he has had dealings with.  He clearly only puts up with me but didn't say anything too harsh.  Just made it clear he doesn't trust me and sees the council company as a liability while working."  Classic looks up at him.  "He isn't wrong we went to DustTale #3 and I took a walk to find him after he and Powder went to talk alone.  The whole AU is trapped other than Snowdin.  I was a liability."

"You're not the only one with the kid insisting we open up the council and let in AUs like LittleTale, and BittyTale, as well as the dark AUs.  We should probably get organized, make a call list or two.  One for dangerous places and one for safe ones."  G sighs and rubs his face. He went through five or six council members in one day if you count Razz."

"How even Inky doesn't go through, company that fast?" Classic looks at G worried if they couldn't keep up with the kid now once he really got going they would have no chance.

"Razz was technically assigned to Inky so when they split up he went with him.  Stretch had to stay in UnderSwap for the reset, Dream collapsed, Fell had a worse time than you. He is in the lounge getting wasted and crying about being a terrible brother, Edge lasted until you had to be called in."

"Wait, wait, wait! He made Fell cry and admit to being a terrible brother?  How? We have been trying to get Fell to treat Edge better for years." Classic gripped his shirt over his SOUL sockets going wide.

G shrugged, "No idea something about him being a no good brother stealing brat.  And then he went from ranting about the kid to crying into his drink and saying how. The lazy trash bag would be better off without him.  It was kind of disturbing and Blackberry just sat there watching him the whole time.  I left before I had to see any more."

"I suddenly feel like I got off light he only threatened to tell on me to Paps if I hurt DustTale #3 Papyrus, didn't share some apparently extremely good cookies with me, and made it clear he knows I am the one who suggested all of us ambush Error."  Classic looks nervously in the direction of the lounge.

"Why would he threaten you over a Papyrus?"  G watches him confused Classic was very protective of most Papyruses.

"Apparently Fresh has known Powder and Rose.  Those are the Sans and Papyrus from DustTale #3 for a long time.  He did a lot of the talking and was throwing out some serious big brother vibes.  Rose told me Powder willingly hosted Fresh during an emergency before their AU went full DustTale and Fresh has stayed in touch and helped them avoid the worst version of DustTale." Classic looks up at G.  "I didn't even know Fresh could let a host go without killing them."

G sighs, reaching for his pack of smokes as he heads back to the lounge with Classic.  "I don't know whether I am looking forward to time with the kid or dreading it.  So far he doesn't seem to be letting anyone get away with anything.  At the same time he seems to be trying to build up the ones that need it."

"Like I said god tier big brother vibes.  I am not sure if it is the only way he knows how to take care of someone or what."  Classic walks into the lounge in time to hear Fell ranting about evil bitties and his useless brother while crying in his drink.

-Balance Castle-

Fresh 404 had just turned with Powder and Rose  to Milly for an escort to a room when he's phone rang. Fortunately they had changed the ringtone to Brother My Brother  but their taste in sentimental music still made them blush.  Answering they were not exactly surprised to hear Edge.

"Hello, Fresh 404 Hatchet is awake, no bad Hatchet don't growl at the nurses no one is taking your chicken."  Rustling and growling can be heard in the background.

"We will be right there, give him the slaw so he doesn't choke."  Fresh 404 gives Milly an apologetic look, then Rose while passing him Powder.  "Sorry we have to go, Hatchet just woke up and we have to make sure he doesn't eat anyone."

Milly nods, "Be careful Lord Fresh 404.  HorrorTale monsters may be perfectly nice once they settle down but it can be a rough start."

Rose hugged Powder close, "I know you are tough Fresh but don't get reckless you can't just change hosts anymore."

Fresh 404 nods to them while talking into the phone.  "Be careful Edge remember to call him bro so he doesn't think you are dating or something."  They open a portal walking through to MedicalTale #0.

-MedicalTale #0-

It was surprisingly easy to find them once Fresh 404 arrived; he only had to tell the nurse at the check in that he had been called to calm a patient from HorrorTale and she got up and led the way herself, almost running.

As soon as they walked into the room Fresh 404 cocooned Hatchet.  "Hatchet good you're awake.  Do you know where you are?"

Edge picks himself up from the ground where Hatchet had knocked him down.  "Sorry boss I didn't know how to restrain him without hurting him."

Fresh 404 smiles at him.  "Do not apologize for knowledge you don't yet have.  You did your best. You kept everyone safe and it looks like you did it without hurting him.  Now are you hurt? Do you need any healing?"

Edge looks at him wide socketed.  "I.. I'm okay." Edge's eyelights start water and he wipes them on his sleeve.  "Right, I need to get some training."

Fresh 404 tilts his head thoughtfully then puts an arm around Edge's shoulder giving him a light squeeze.  "We are proud of your efforts today we know you are not accustomed to taking care of others but you have done all we asked of you today to do just that."

Edge sniffles and hugs them tight breaking down in tears at finally receiving the kindness, respect, and care he has been starving for.

As Hatchet calms down Fresh 404 loosens the cocoon.  Letting Edge cry while everything settles down.  A nurse peaks in then scurried away.

Shortly after, a Sans walks in wearing scrubs and a doctor's coat and holding a clipboard.  "Hello the nurses tell me I have a couple of patients to look at."  He looks from Edge and Fresh 404 to Hatchet. "You can call me Doc or Medic."

"Hello Medic we are Fresh 404, this is Edge from UnderFell #0, and Hatchet is currently all wrapped up." Fresh 404 smile at their small joke trying to ease tensions.

Medic obliges with a small chuckle checking Hatchet's charts.  "You are lucky everyone knows about AU here at the hospital.  Though next time you decide to bring in dangerous patients call a head so they can be treated in secure rooms for their safety and ours."

"Noted. How is Papyrus by the time we got to him he was none responsive."  Fresh 404 watches Medic making no move to let the now blushes Edge go.

Medic sighs and crosses his arms.  "Do you want it sugar coated or should I be blunt?"

"Blunt, sugar ya can't eat isn't worth it."  The rasp of Hatchet's voice startled Edge as he thought Hatchet was too out of it to understand what was going on.

Medic sighs, "you barely got him here in time.  He is going to need long term care. At best you can expect his health to remain fragile for a few decades.  He will never survive if he has to go back to HorrorTale.  He would be better off if you took him back, let him dust and brought him in right after reset before things get this bad."

Fresh 404's eyesight flickered out and rainbow magic flared around the soul in his left socket.  "Not what we want to hear but not impossible we know dad's team used that method to recover lost limbs at least every one but Cross, CC would just use overwrite to patch them up."

Edge backs up shaking his head.  "You can't be serious, that is just not right."

Medic looks at Edge with a frown.  "Resets are a fact of life if I can use one to spare a patient years of suffering then hell yes I am serious I will take what good I can get."

"We know it sounds cruel, Edge and is not our first choice but it does hold hope for a better future for him.  We can promise we will not take that option without Papyrus's consent."  Fresh 404's expression hardens, "we will not be like Inky; the lives of those in our care are not playthings."

Hatchet grumbles, "all well and good but our AU hasn't reset in fifteen years."

"We can trigger an emergency reset.  It is not an option we would take if Chara was not available to do so as it takes a lot of magic." Fresh 404 frowns at nothing.

"Either way it can't happen until you rest kid you were near your limit if not over before you went to DustTale #3.  You can't keep pushing it kid, we can't afford for you to go down, and it is against the contract."  Edge glares.

Medic looks from Edge to Fresh 404 then to Hatchet.  "Papyrus won't be likely to be awake enough to talk and make choices for a few days."

Fresh 404 nods, "what about Hatchet?  What is his condition? We don't have any direct experience with monsters who have been starved, at least not ones who actually need to eat to survive."

Edge winces at that.  "Kid I don't know of any monsters that don't need to eat even Fresh's hosts needed food."

Medic frowns looking down, "Just because someone can survive without it doesn't make it healthy.  I remember when Error brought Killer in once for a check up and soul supplements.  Error had incredibly thin looking bones,  I am pretty sure Dream can live off the positive energy happy beings put off same for Nightmare and negative energy.  I have no idea about Inky but it would not surprise me if he just forgot."

"We don't actually have to either. Fresh just won that argument and we like the feeling."  Fresh 404 shrugs at their horrified looks.

"Wrong bru we are still growing even if it is slow.  We need it."  Fresh yanks out his shades and puts them on.

Medic frowns looking away.  "Hatchet's bones are brittle, some of his ecto-organs are damaged but repairable with enough time, the hole in his skull might shrink a little as he heals the right eyelight is irreparably damaged."

"How do we best care for Hatchet's health?  We can't be sure Papyrus will choose to reset.  They are a part of our household until they have settled into their own.  Our brother's health is very important to us."  Fresh 404 watches Hatchet picking their words carefully taking off the shades and putting them away.

Hatchet looked at him startled then relaxed back into the hospital bed.  "Heh sounds like you are planning on a large family."

"Sharing food or even preparing food has different meanings in different AU."  Fresh 404 smiles gently, "we will have many guests but we offered you and your brother a home away from your AU.  Those who have a permanent home with us are family."

Medic sighs, "just like your dad huh.  Why am I surprised?" He shakes his head, "you know what wait here I still have Horror's care instructions on file they won't take much adjustment." With that Medic walked out leaving them on their own for the time being.

Edge rubs his sockets, "that easy huh you can just decide to open your home and your life and make someone your brother?"

"Opening one's life and SOUL to the possibility of hurt is never easy especially if you have faced rejection before."  Fresh 404 rests a hand on Edge's shoulder.  "Your brother is a unrad fool, but we know that love and family bonds are more complicated than logic."

"So why am I all tied up?" Hatchet wiggles trying to get out of his cocoon he slows down and yawns.

"Sorry but we wanted to keep the situation under control until we were sure you were coherent. As an added benefit you are probably getting a small boost from the concentrated ambient magic."  Fresh 404 moves to the side of the bed as his rainbow strings puff into rainbow mist.

Edge moves to look out the window at an uninspiring view of Waterfall's cave wall.  "We are all funked, you are too nice to be the destroyer kid."

"So was mom. He was just a good actor."  Fresh 404 gently tucks Hatchet in.  "Rest Hatchet, Papyrus will need you when he wakes."

Hatchet grumbles and tries to stay awake but loses that battle fast soon falling into a heavy sleep.

There was an uncomfortable silence until Medic came back with a file in hand.  "We are going to have to run some tests before we can prescribe anything, and learn the details of his condition.  But I have care instructions for HorrorTale monsters in general.  I would strongly recommend keeping Hatchet here until we have a full picture of his condition."

Fresh 404 stroked the porous, delicate bone of Hatchet's skull frowning.  "We happen to agree with you completely about his staying here. He is far too depleted for us to properly care for him at home."

Edge turns to face them frowning.  "You can't stay kid, you have guests and a truckload of bitties at home and work again tomorrow.  Call in backup if you need someone to sit with him."

"We know Edge, we just don't have a lot of backup to call.  We are not calling the council for this, we don't trust them with those who can't stab them.  Our only other option is the Ruin keepers council and we have already called them in once today."  Fresh 404 throws his hands up in frustration. "That leaves the Chara support system, ghost children make terrible nurses!"

Medic chuckles watching the drama.  "You could let the hospital staff do their jobs.  I plan to have Hatchet and his Papyrus moved to a secure room and put them both on an IV with a magic infused nutrient drip.  I doubt Hatchet will do much more than sleep and wake up to eat before sleeping again for a few days."

"That doesn't mean he should be alone when he wakes."  Fresh 404 gives them a stubborn look.

Edge takes out his phone looking just as stubborn and makes a call.  "Hey Classic, this is Edge.  I know you were just out with the kid but can you organize some shifts to set with the HorrorTale brothers at the hospital in MedicalTale #0 ?  Fresh 404 doesn't want to leave them alone and is being stubborn about getting some rest."  Edge gives a soft hum listening.  "Sure Classic thanks see you at the next meeting."

Medic watches interested, "never thought I would see the day the council would pull together and work as a team on anything peaceful."

"Is that why you are not part of the council Medic?"  Fresh 404 watched both Medic and Edge.

"Na I used to be but I made it clear that healing and medicine are neutral and treat everyone equally regardless of side.  Inky kicked me off and locked down MedicalTale until the council all got food poisoning somehow.  I think the only reason I wasn't declared a traitor was Dream and everyone else who could heal agreed with me that part of the responsibility of healing is to heal regardless of personal feelings about the patient even WarTale!Sans was appalled at the idea of expecting a medic to not heal based on sides."  He shrugs.  "Mine and every other neutral AU is banned from joining the council."

Edge chuckles, "now that you mention it I seem to recall Cobalt being the only one that didn't get sick.  An him said something like 'OF COURSE THE MAGNIFICENT BLUE IS ALRIGHT I ONLY EAT THE FINEST TACOS!'  We all just assumed he brought his own food to the party."

Fresh 404 chuckles, "Uncle Cobalt had a spark of chaos to balance out all that organized Papyrus code.  Dad used to tell me stories about Uncle Cobalt spiking the punch or eggnog at every party."

"What the funk? How did that little motherfunker pull that off? My g was on Inky being the culprit." Edge growls in frustration.  "Haha no one bet on him I wonder what happens since no one won the bet?"

Medic clears his throat and grins.  "Betting was not restricted to the council."

"Bru we don't think we can collect our winnings being the ones ta tell them about Cobalt's little hobby."  Fresh 404 grins while Fresh tries to get out his shades.  Fresh managed to get the shades on only to have 404 push them up out of the way.

Medic just chuckles, "I wonder what my winnings will add up to?"

Edge just shakes his head at them.  "Did every neutral AU know about Cobalt before the rest of us did?"

Fresh 404 shrugs, "Not like there were ever many neutrals.  After all, unless you are useful or enough of the council sticks up for your right to be neutral, Inky declares you a traitor."

"Or Inky gave up on you as not important enough to bother with and only made a few copies like BittyTale.  They were never given a chance to be on a side."  Medic passed Fresh 404 the treatment plan.

Just then FellSwap!Papyrus walked in looking... well lanky, lazy, and about as interested in life as dirty dish water.  "Edge my bro said to come babysit and you would have instructions?"

Edge rolls his eyelights and says.  "Hello Rus the guy in the bed is a HorrorTale Sans named Hatchet you are going to be setting with him and his bro so they don't wake up alone."

Rus just nods, "No wonder he said this was a perfect job for a lazy bones.  So I just wait for him to wake up then what?"

"Introduce yourself, call us, ask if he needs anything? All of the above?"  Fresh 404 rolls his eyelight.  His calm patient demeanor slipping along with his energy levels.

"And we're out." Edge grumbles walking over to shoo Fresh 404 out of the room.  "Let's go before you get cranky kid."

"Alright, alright no need to rush us, we know we have responsibilities at home." Fresh 404 lets Edge fuss as they walk out of the room and open a portal.

Rus watched as they left then pulled a mango chili lollipop out of his pocket and popped it in his mouth.  "Never thought I would see Edge go all mother hen like that."

Edge flipped Rus off before following Fresh 404 through the portal.

Medic chuckles and shakes his head.  "The kid is rubbing off on him already.  Fox above seeing the kid is like watching Nightmare fret over his boys.  At least he didn't leave an armed guard."

Rus chuckles and gives a finger wave.  "I could be that but I am to lazy to guard and babysit."