-Corruptverse Dream Realm-

Bane leaned back against the Tree of Feelings watching the stars wondering how long it would take his brother to come to harass him here in the place they were meant to share above all others.  Not that Solar had ever willingly shared anything with him.

"You have given up? How unlike a Nightmare, but everyone has their limits.  Would you be so resigned, my child, if I could tell you how to get them back?"  Feelings watched, Bane jumped to his feet and looked around warily, feeling guilty for what they were about to do, but the unstable-verse really would be better for them.

"I would say only a deity could do that and no gift from deity comes without a heavy cost." Bane's tentacles twitched unaware of his brother eavesdropping from the branches of the tree.

The tree's branches shook violently, tossing Solar out so he fell at Bane's feet.  "True, we don't offer something unless we want something.  Don't you think we should discuss matters that don't concern him without your brother.  By the way, Solar, you're grounded."  With that, Solar disappears from the dream realm.

Bane turns to face the tree having put things together and bows.  "What do you ask of me to have my family back mother?"

"The price will indeed be heavy, my child and two fold.  Though you managed to stop their souls from shattering they no longer have bodies.  They will have to be born again so if you want them you or Static will have to carry them as their mother.  As for the second half of the price for our help in this.  We will move you and Static to another multiverse where you shall take up your roles.  The multiverse we will move you to is newly aware of the balance after losing their Destruction and Negative Guardian.  Their demigod of Amendment is trying to stabilize things but they are a child and they don't have the right magic.  I am sorry my child, I must ask this of you but things will not be as bad."  There was resignation in Feelings's voice but hope as well.

Bane frowned Feelings was right those were heavy prices they would be completely vulnerable while carrying and even after while they were providing magic for the first few years.  On the other hand if everyone knew about the balance they might be able to manage.  "May I have time to talk about this with Static."

"Of course my child, he will be affected as much as you."  The warm approval in Feelings voice eased something in Bane's apple shaped soul.  "Now wake my child you and Static have decisions to make.  If you choose to follow this path come to OuterTale #0 and call on myself, Karma, and Void before jumping with the souls we will take it from there.  An Bane even if you and Static decide you are too hurt and tired to take this path.  I will always love you, my child."

Bane abruptly woke, feeling dazed and yet like he had been given back something that was stolen long ago.  Standing he hurried to the medical room where they kept the souls knowing Static hadn't left there, since their last battle with his brother and Stain.

-Unstableverse Council HQ Lounge-

Alter sighed when the swirling rainbow portal opened in the lounge wondering if it was a subtle show of power or if the kid just didn't know or care that he was the only one who could put a portal anywhere he wanted at HQ.  He was surprised when Medic walked out but not by much.

Don G glanced over at the portal, interested to see if the kid had kept the same council member with them for more than an hour.  No one was expecting a flustered Blackberry to run out and head for coffee like he might actually be tired or stressed.

Fresh 404 grinned, stepping out of his portal and closing it while looking around.  "Blackberry, remember to eat lunch, we still have a long day after the meeting."

Blackberry stops and turns to face him.  "Of course if you still want me as your company for the rest of the day."

"Why wouldn't we?  You can handle the darker AU we need to work on.  Besides it was never our intention to have to change council companions constantly. We are still figuring things out between us and the council."  Fresh 404 flashed his bright blue grin.

Geno watched from a table in the corner as the kid eased the tension in the room and inspired guilt with a few words and a smile, wondering if he could read emotions like Dream.  "Reaper, do you ever feel like we are on trial around the kid?"

"No, I feel like we have already been judged but he is giving us a second chance anyway."  Reaper watches as the kid turns to talk to, Medic.  "I just hope we can be worth the effort he is making."

Fresh 404 smiled at Medic, "we are meeting uncle Geno and Reaper for lunch want to join us?"

Medic shook his head smiling, "Go have your family time you don't need to take care of me. I am going to get a sandwich and catch up with Sci and a few others."

Fresh 404 nods running his eyes over everyone in the room with that cold smile of his.  "Okay Medic we are sure everyone here understands that harming a healer would be unforgivable."  After delivering the barely veiled threat he gave Medic a real smile and turned to walk over to Geno's table.

Geno chuckles watching Don G nearly trip in his haste to reach Medic; it was a bit of a well known fact that he was one of the few non-healers who had stood up for MedicalTale's right to neutrality.

Sasin waved at Fresh 404 from Reaper's shoulder.  "Can I have coffee?"

Fresh 404 laughs taking Moonlight and Starlight's cocoon from his pocket and set them on the table before pulling out a chair and dropping into it with a sigh. "We already told you that you could if you switched to decaf.  You are not used to all the caffeine you want.  We don't want you having a soul attack."

Reaper lifts the baskets onto the table.  "So how are things going with HorrorTale #15 ?"

The cocoon puffs into rainbow mist freeing Moonlight and Starlight to move around.  "The kid is right, Sasin. In spite of my being snappish this morning, we don't want to lose you."  Moonlight holds Starlight through a small coughing fit.

Geno smiles slightly, "that cough doesn't sound as bad as this morning?"

Fresh 404 smiles opening the baskets to reveal one was packed with thermoses and the other had a large tupperware box of salad and sandwiches wrapped in wax cloth.  "We think he might be rebounding a bit.  What do you think, Moonlight?"

Reaper lifts Sasin down to the table and stands to help unpack the dishes in the smaller basket with the thermoses.  Relieved to see the genuine smile the kid gave Geno.  He knew this connection meant way more to Geno than he would ever say.  Family meant so much to him and having none left hurt him.

When Geno tried to stand to help set the table he got frowns from both Reaper and Fresh 404.  "Oh come on, I am not some fragile flower."

Fresh 404 nods, "we know but you should be saving your energy for healing as much as possible.  It is your choice but we would prefer you do so while setting."

Reaper smiles and passes Geno the glasses including the Bitty glasses.  "You can pour the drinks while setting down."

Geno smiles at them, "okay okay I won't over do it." He didn't know whether he should feel smothered or pampered but he definitely felt cared for as Fresh 404 passed him a thermos of chilled lemonade.

"The reset went well we dropped them off at MedicalTale #0 for tests and to establish a baseline on their health.  While packing up we noticed that Hatchet's keepsakes are all pottery Peace did when he was younger.  We are thinking of introducing Peace to the village potter. Maybe he would like lessons?"  Fresh 404 checks the other thermoses finding egg drop soup, hot and sour soup, and miso soup.  "Looks like Agnis is going with an Asian theme for lunch."

Sasin and Moonlight work together to drag an empty bowl over to Geno while Starlight sets up the Bitty dishes and silverware.

Reaper takes out the salad and a jar of homemade sesame dressing.  "You were not kidding about Agnis being a chef, if this is a working lunch."

"Looks like we have a choice of hot and sour, egg drop, or miso soup."  Fresh 404 grins at Reaper.  "We think she takes it as a personal challenge that our two halves do not agree about what good food is.  She is very good at finding things we both like."

Geno poured them all lemonade using a spoon to fill the Bitty glasses without spilling.  "How is it that a teenager came to hate junk food?"

Sasin stayed well away from Starlight and Moonlight feeling tense now that someone he could accidentally kill was around.

Reaper shakes up the dressing watching.  Sasin's stress was easy to read; he was the same when he first met Geno.

"Inky can't cook the only time there was food before it was stale takeout.  Monster food may not go bad but cold greasy food doesn't taste good and can still give you a stomach ache even if you don't have one.  Unfortunately 404 did not have his mom's ability to break down anything.  Error could and would eat silverware if he wasn't paying attention.  Now which soup would you all like? We don't all have to have the same one."  Fresh 404 looks at them watching for them to decide on soups.

Geno actually grimaced at the thought of nothing but cold greasy takeout.  "No wonder you associated food with feeling greasy and icky at first.  Oh Fox does this mean we have to make sure Inky has a nutritious diet too?"

"Heck no if that brat wants a parent they can ask for it." Moonlight glares at no one in particular.

Reaper pours some Miso soup in his bowl.  "With the council required to keep healthy snacks around he should be fine but we can have his companion remind him to eat something healthy."

Starlight looks up at Fresh 404, "egg drop sounds easy to swallow."

Geno smiles at Starlight, "that sounds good to me too.  It has been a while since I have had it."

Chuckling Fresh 404 pours Geno and Starlight egg drop soup.  Putting the thermos within Geno's reach if they want more.  "How about you two?" They look at Moonlight and Sasin.

Sasin shrugs, "can I try what Reaper is having? I don't think I have ever had any of them before."

Moonlight waits until Sasin has his soup before looking up at Fresh 404.  "The hot and sour sounds really good."

After pouring Moonlight's soup.  Fresh 404 got out a tupperware box with all kinds of Bitty sized sandwiches setting it down so they can pick their own.  "Starlight you don't have to have a sandwich or salad if your throat is sore but if you don't. We want you to fill up on soup. There is more than enough."

Reaper takes a bite of soup before opening the box of salad, and fixing everyone a plate between bites relaxing and having fun.  Sure he drank coffee around others but he only ever got to break bread with Geno and his brother normally.  Because no one else could relax around him.

"Kid sit down and eat with us. Like you told Starlight there is plenty, so stop fussing."  Geno shakes his head and smiles.

Fresh 404 blushes rainbow and sets down pouring himself some hot and sour.  "Sorry, we're still getting used to family meals.  We did not mean to make you uncomfortable."

Moonlight gets a couple of sandwiches, giving one to Starlight.  "Try dipping it in your soup."

Inky ran into the lounge, Sci stumbling behind him panting, "please slow down Inky!"

Before anyone could react Inky was wrapped in a rainbow cocoon and a few feet off the floor.  "All right, who let Inky have sugar or caffeine?"  Fresh 404 turned in his chair to watch as Sci fell to his knees exhausted.

"I just turned my back for a minute and he drank all of my energy drink."  Sci looks up looking guilty.

Geno facepalms, "why did he even have an energy drink in the same room as Inky."

Fresh 404 sighs getting up he walks over and collects Inky in his cocoon.  "Come here you manice.  Has anyone bothered to remind you to eat something healthy today?"

The room was quiet while the kid carried their former leader over to his table and held him on his lap. Opening a sandwich and holding it for Inky while eating his soup like an experienced parent or babysitter.

Reaper watched, feeling sick to his nonexistent stomach.  The sight of the kids casually nurturing Inky.  He didn't understand why or what he was feeling, but he suspected it had something to do with knowing Inky had pretty much tortured the kid when he was younger.  What kind of strength and patience did it take to turn around and return that treatment not with cruelty but with care.

Moonlight glared at Inky but only picked up Starlight and moved him closer to Geno.

"You are remarkably skilled at that kid.  Do you have experience?" Geno wasn't sure if he should be amused or not but wasn't really surprised after the last meeting.  The kid definitely handled Inky better than anyone he had ever seen.

"I am not sure why everyone is having so much trouble with this.  Almost all Sanses have experience raising or at least looking out for a sibling myself included.  Inky if you try biting me there will be no desert."  Fresh 404 ignored the startled looks thrown their ways at the reminder that they all knew how to take care of kids.

"Why peanut butter? It makes my mouth all sticky." Inky complains halfway through his sandwich but keeps eating.

"Then why do you keep eating it?"  Sasin watches Inky confused by him and the situation in general.  Sure he had heard the kids story but this guy seemed less evil and more like a little kid.

Reaper shakes off his ill feeling and sighs looking at Sasin. "He probably forgot to eat and is hungry enough to not be that picky."

Geno pours Inky a lemonade and passes it to Fresh 404 before unwrapping a sandwich himself rather pleased to get ham and cheese.  "Don't be too upset until yesterday we thought he was an adult."

As soon as Inky finished his sandwich Fresh 404 offered him the lemonade.  "Inky, how are you feeling?"

After gulping down the lemonade Inky sighed. "Dizzy and ache like just before the last big quake.  Why can't I have Error back?"

That got a worried look from Geno and Reaper.  Moonlight just picked up Starlight and walked over to Fresh 404. "We have to get moving, I take it.  Bring most of the sandwiches, this sounds like it will be magically draining."

Reaper takes a few Bitty sandwiches out for Sasin then repacks the rest of the sandwiches in the smaller basket with the lemonade. "Who can handle the meeting for you or at least open the topics you need us thinking about?"

"Uncle Dream, Powder, Rose, Edge, Razz, and Blackberry should be able to handle things for an hour or two.  Dang it I told Blackberry I wasn't going to switch him out he seemed stressed about the idea of being replaced."  Fresh 404 frowns and gulps down his soup.

"Just take him, dealing with this is more important than the meeting.  We will manage."  Geno waves off the meeting.

Fresh 404 gently scooped up Moonlight and Starlight, a rainbow cocoon forming around them as he tucked them in between his coat collar and hood securing the cocoon there.  "Guardsmen Blackberry report for duty."  Standing they turn to face the room still holding Inky.  Fresh and 404's blended voices  permeates the building without being over loud.

Reaper passes Fresh 404 the basket after Fresh 404 puffs Inky's cocoon and adjusts him so he is on one hip and Fresh 404 has a free hand.

Blackberry ran into the room almost colliding with G dodging at the last second to skid to a stop in front of Fresh 404.  "Reporting for duty."  Blackberry breathed hard looking like he wasn't quite sure how he got there so fast.

"We have to go to the doodle sphere, on an emergency grab Inky, a companion Sci needs to stay for the meeting."  Fresh 404 opens a portal and walks through with Inky leaving the portal open for Blackberry and whoever he grabbed.

Blackberry glanced around frantically if it was an emergency it would have to be someone with stamina so no one from the nicer AU.  The darker AU really didn't have much representation Razz and Edge were yesterday.  "Come on G don't just stand there we have to keep up."  Blackberry jumped through the portal not bothering to wait for the lanky chain smoking Gaster Sans to say anything.

G just stood there taking a drag from his cigarette and watching the portal.  "I wonder what makes Blackberry think I am going to jump when some brat calls?"

The hum of a glitched Gaster Blaster with one flaring blue and red eyelight charging up behind G was the only answer anyone gave. It was warning enough Geno for all he was fragile in body was not just an original but an organic original from the secondary timeline of the original.  That combined with his Determination and simi-immortal status made him one of the most powerful Sanses in the multiverse, said to intimidate the gods of ReaperTale when he so chose.

G sighs and walks through the portal after giving Geno a sour look.

-Unstableverse Doodle sphere-

As soon as he stepped through the portal Fresh 404 put the basket in his inventory. "How is it so crowded even with how many have already fallen?"

"One of the miniverses was getting unstable so I moved out all of the AU I could to try and stabilize it." Inky shrugs looking confused.

"Why didn't you ask for help, Inky?"  Fresh 404 looked over his shoulder as Blackberry jumped out of the portal.  "We are sorry to interrupt your lunch break Blackberry."

"Never mind that it is not like you got much time to eat either."  Blackberry frowns looking around.

G stepped through the portal looking annoyed as it closed behind him.  "Why the heck are we here when we have a meeting in half an hour."

"Look at how close together the AU are.  We have to figure out how to deal with an unstable miniverse. If it goes down with things like this, the chain reaction will take out half the multiverse if we are lucky." Fresh 404 shoulders slumping.  "We are not sure what to do mom could only keep a buffer zone around those they are too big to destroy."

Blackberry winced looking at all the papers floating around above them.  "This is one of those times when you being Amendment is a problem right?"

"What are you talking about? He is the new destroyer right?" G frowns as Blackberry shakes his head and shrugs.

"We are not giving up Blackberry, we told you Razz gave us an idea.  We just hoped to test it before putting everything on the line and pushing our magic to the limits." Sighing Fresh 404 took the lunch basket out of his inventory and passed it to Blackberry.  "If this works, We won't be in much better shape than Uncle Dream after an episode, and neither will Inky.  Moonlight and Starlight are in our coat collar so we can't fall on them.  You two will be in charge of getting us all back to HQ.  If you can't open a portal then let us sleep it off when we or Inky recover enough we will open a portal.  Blackberry under those conditions you are the trained guard captain so you will be in charge."

G almost drops his cigarette, "wait wait wait you are talking like whatever you are about to do could leave you and Inky catatonic from magic depletion that can take months to sleep off."

Blackberry frowns, nodding "G is right you need to make sure we can open a portal before you get to work.  You have too many responsibilities to disappear for months.  At least if we can get you back to HQ everyone will know what is going on and can find a way to manage."

Inky watches then blinks, "I can give you portal privileges at least to leave."

"That is a good idea, Inky.  Blackberry you and G are right we were not thinking about after, only what we are going to attempt."  Fresh 404 set Inky down before setting down criss cross frowning up at the floating papers that represent the AU.

Inky splashes some apricot paint on Blackberry and G before turning to Fresh 404.  "So you have an idea?"

Fresh 404 sighs softly, "here the AU are the pages and the pages are the AU what happens here happens out there.  Razz asked if we could contain an AU's fall, kind of like Reaper doesn't kill, he just escorts those who die.  We are going to wrap the AU in a web of our strings to prevent a chain reaction.  Our magic will be spread far too thin to work of course.  That is where you come in.  Mom once told us that, went he was a new destroyer with only a few decades of experience. You two had to team up to stop a massive meteor aimed straight through OuterTale and into the center of the multiverse. He said it was the only time the two of you had used Painted Strings.  Inky we can do this together, your paint coating our strings."

Inky sat down thinking, "I kind of remember that now that you mentioned it.  Ya we can do this."

Blackberry put the basket in his inventory and sat down.  "I didn't know Error and Inky ever teamed up?"

G finally just sits down still annoyed at getting dragged into this but Blackberry was kind of right to pick him, not very many Sanses are tall enough to carry the kid if they had to.  "So how does this work?"

"Magic is about intention so we pass our strings through Inky's paint and then we both act with the same intention in this case to contain, protect, and preserve as many AU as possible.  Our strings become the canvas to carry his paint and his paint strengthens our strings."  Fresh 404 turns his attention to Inky.  "Are you ready?"

Inky grounded the blunt end of his ridiculously oversized brush on the ground between them bristles pointing towards the sky.  "Let's do this." He grinned as paint bubbled up and formed a rainbow sphere resting on the tip of the brush.

Blackberry watches somewhat disturbed that Inky's and Error's, or Fresh 404's ultimate attack was a combo that needed two sides of the balance acting together.  Something almost never needed or used.

G frowns, this was so deliberate not really ritual magic but it had the flavor of it requiring choice and planning even if only enough to agree to it and act together.  How had Inky and Error ever figured out that they could do something like this?

Fresh 404 raised their hands holding them apart and the strings shot from between his palms passing through the paint and into the sky to divide into fine almost gossamer webs sticking to and wrapping around more and more AU flowing ever outward dimming the vibrant gold of the sky to a sunset orange.

It went on and on until Inky slumped against his brush barely conscious and still it continued the magic pulled from him through the brush and driven on under Fresh 404's unbending will and determination not stopping until they both passed out.

Blackberry dove forward catching the kid before he could hit the ground, and lowered him to the ground.  "They were not kidding about what this was going to do to them."

G put out his last cigarette.  "Let's just get them back to HQ. I don't know about you but I don't want to deal with the kids so called uncles if we delay."  Standing picked the kid up in a fireman's carry only to get a startled squeak from the kid's coat collar.

"Hey, be careful of the bitties!" Blackberry shot to his feet, frowning.  "I don't care if you don't want to deal with Dream, Stretch, Geno and Reaper.  You will be dealing with them and every original fell AU and the kid if you hurt his bitties.  They are his family and he is good to us other than Fell and he needed since knocked into him."

"Ya ya whatever you have one weird idea of family but I am not going to hurt the bitties.  Will you just grab Inky so we can get out of this place?"  G grunted and readjusted to a princess hold rather than deal with a bunch of stressed out trigger happy monsters.

Blackberry picks up Inky staring at the paintbrush that didn't move and when he reached for it he could feel the hum of magic flowing through it.  Shaking his head he stepped back.  "We are leaving the brush. I feel like it needs to be here, and I don't think we have the magic to move it."

G frowned, "whatever." Opening a smoky gray portal he walked through with the kid not looking back.

Blackberry growled and walked through the portal with Inky over his shoulder.  "Why did the walking ashtray have to be the only one available who was suitable?"

-Council HQ-

As soon as G stepped through the portal to the portal room he was met with Edge and Razz.  He hadn't really believed Blackberry when he implied that the kid had somehow won the loyalty of all the original fell Sanses.  Seeing the way their eyelights locked onto the kid convinced him.  "Mind taking him or something instead of blocking the door?"

Edge didn't need to be asked twice, he was across the room so fast he might have teleported.  "What happened?" He pulled Fresh 404 into his arms, adjusting his hold to settle the kids more comfortably in his grip, not bothering that Fresh 404 was much taller than he was.

Razz watched looking for any wounds.  "Wait to tell us till we get to the lounge or you will just have to tell it again."

Blackberry stepped through the portal with an unconscious Inky over his shoulder, the portal closing behind him.  "Hey, Edge is Medic still here?"

Edge nodded and Razz took off.  "Ya we all figured Fresh 404 would come back here before going anywhere else so everyone who wanted to talk to them or was just worried waited here.  We have been taking turns waiting in here just in case he overdid it."

G followed as Edge and Blackberry followed Razz out while talking.  The lack of hostility towards each other was a bit shocking to G, fell monsters are normally permanently cranky.

They were met halfway to the lounge by a lot of worried skeletons and Lady Vita.  "What happened?"

Blackberry frowns, "let's get where we can lay them down to talk." He gives them a reassuring smile, but can't hide his worry when he glances at Fresh 404.

As soon as they walk into the lounge Edge gently lays Fresh 404 on a couch, careful of his pockets and coat collar in case of Bitties.  "Okay Blackberry what happened?"

Dream watches wringing his hands while Powder and Rose stand with him until Powder moves him to the couch across from Fresh 404 and gently pushes him down to sit.

Reaper stood off to the side with Geno in his arms watching with Sasin on his shoulder.

Blackberry gently dumped Inky in a recliner.  "The emergence was something called a miniverse going unstable. Apparently Inky tried to stabilize it by moving the AU in it out, filling up the space around it. Only that didn't work and it no longer had a buffer zone."

Everyone went really quiet that didn't sound good when had Inky gotten away to do this.

"Fresh 404 is really, Amendment he can destroy but he is actually a healer."  Blackberry spread the blanket Razz got over Fresh 404.

Powder curses, "he can edit all day but one delete is enough to wipe out his reserves for the day."

Vita gets a blanket and tucks Inky in.  "That is not enough to stop him.  He somehow ended up with some of Error's Determination."

Blackberry checks on Moonlight and Starlight but with their cocoon woven into Fresh 404's coat collar he couldn't free them.  "Apparently Razz gave him the idea to try to control an AU's fall rather than destroy it.  By wrapping the pages in the doodle sphere in a web of strings.  Fresh 404's power would have been stretched too thin to work with a large number of AU and a miniverse so they did a combo with Inky called Painted Strings.  It was really high level magic and felt like it went on for a very long time even after Inky passed out.  When he finally passed out we brought them back."

No one expected Sasin to start trying to curse and poking Reaper.  "Make Lady Vita do something before they wake up."

Geno gently grabs Sasin. "What do you know that has you so worked up?"

Sasin turns his head to watch Fresh 404.  "He ruptured his magic to get his sister away from Inky.  This sounds big enough and important enough he might have pushed that far.  We can't lose him and we don't need two crazy child gods."

Vita gently checks both Inky and Fresh 404.  "They are drained down to the dregs but neither ruptured their magic.  They are not likely to wake up any time soon.  Medic maybe able to help."

Medic shrugs, "if it is only magic exhaustion then the only thing I could do is put them to bed and set them up with a nutrient drip.  There aren't that many treatments for magic depletion."

Powder steps forward.  "I know what to do, remember how Rose and I told you about the hot springs in our AU.  We should take them there."

Much to everyone's surprise, Medic nodded.  Admittedly most had not been paying attention when the DustTale brothers had talked about some spring figuring they were just talking up there AU and it just made them feel better because they thought it would, magic was affected by belief.

"While I would have liked to test it on a milder case.  So long as they can sleep comfortably there is no harm in it and if it helps all to the good.  I am not above using whatever works."  Medic shrugs at some of the looks that got him.  "Can you keep them safe from the human?"

Rose nods, looking proud.  "Powder is the best between our traps and his skills. The human hasn't made it to me, in Snowdin in the last fifty resets!"  That actually got a few impressed glances.

Edge sighs and takes out his phone.  "If we are going camping I had better call Milly.  Then gather camping supplies."

"Who is Milly and why do you have to tell them anything?" G reaches for his cigarettes and frowns when his pack is empty.

Dream blinks looking at G like he is crazy. "Because she is Fresh 404's personal assistant she would know if he has camping gear at the castle.  She can adjust his schedule there plus someone has to tell Doc and the bitties."

Geno chuckles, settling Sasin back on Reaper's shoulder.  "We also might want to figure out how to free Moonlight and Starlight. I doubt their life partner is going to be happy about them being stuck."

Vita giggles at that, "nope but so long they are safe and cared for he will probably be alright."

One short phone call later Edge glances at Dream. "The camping gear will be ready for pickup in half an hour.  Milly strongly suggests that other than picking it up.  We, not bother coming back without Fresh 404."

Dream frowns, "not that I planned on abandoning my nephew but don't we live there now?  Have we just been kicked out?  What about my toothbrush?"

Powder chuckles and puts an arm around Dream.  "Calm down, I will ask for it when we pick up the camping gear.  It should only be a day or two.  It would probably fix that little case of magic fatigue you have for a bit, camping with them."

Razz frowned at Powder, "of course with it being such a dangerous place I will be Dream's guard while you're dealing with the human."

Edge glances around, "I will go with Medic to tell Hatchet that the kid won't be back for a couple days and get whatever Medic needs to set him and Inky up."

Blackberry looks around, "someone needs to watch Rus for me. I am Fresh 404's companion until dismissed."

There were a few awkward glances at having the three fell monsters take charge of the situation especially in full nurturing mode.  Or what passed for it with a fell monster.

Geno sighes, "I admit to not having had much time to get to know the kid but I take it you guys have found something you value in him.  I look forward to getting to know him better."

Standing off to the side, Classic watched it all unfold while drinking ketchup.  "Should we tuck one of the dolls Error made, in with him?  I know he was kind of adopted and kind of theirs.  Just kids absorb magic from their parents when they are little.  Maybe he is still young enough to recover faster with family magic?"

"By that logic Dream would be better than a doll as he is Nightmare's twin and Nightmare was the code relative." Mob slid an arm around Alter standing behind the couch.

Sci shook his head, "Dream doesn't have the resources to spare right now because of his and Nightmare's balance being broken."

Alter rolls his eyelights, "clearly we should just do what Lady Vita and Medic think is best. Inky and Fresh 404 are exhausted and waking them up faster won't make things better."

Gently pulling Alter closer Mob frowns, "then what are the rest of us supposed to do from the start of this mass we have had a direction.  Sitting around and waiting doesn't feel right."

Blackberry looks around the so-called lazy Sanses and sighs.  "We organize, make a list of who is available on what days and for what type of AU.  We make lists of problems the council needs to discuss not things like the balance but the emotional health of different AU and suicidal rates.  Or if conditions are bad enough to warrant outside intervention like HorrorTale.  We start learning to be worth the sacrifices made for us."

That got a long uncomfortable silence while everyone just stared at Blackberry.  Then Edge chuckled, "the kid was in fine form today wasn't he.  Fox I have never met someone who is so good at making a person want to do better without tearing them down unless it is the only way to get them to pay attention."

Razz shrugs, "I don't know how he does it.  Fresh 404 gives an order and instead of being demeaning it is like he sees you, values you, and wants you to achieve your potential, while caring if you're safe.  I have never met anyone like that before and it makes me want to keep him safe."

Blackberry and Edge nod,  Powder gives a soft hum.  "Fresh always had some of that he would give us the information we needed but figuring out how to save ourselves was up to us, respect goes a long way to motivate a person."

G watched thinking then shrugs, "I am going to get more smokes."  He glanced back as the group broke up to either get ready or get back to what they were doing.  He felt an aching in his soul and he didn't understand why.

After the crowd thinned out Reaper sat down in a recliner still holding Geno.  "I would offer to help protect them but I have to go to work in an hour.  Grim can only cover for me for so long."

Geno sighs, "I would offer to help but for all I have a lot of magic I don't really move well on anything but flat ground."

Edge smiles, "well how are you with hospitals? Fresh 404 would have been back to MedicalTale to keep Hatchet and Peace company if he was awake."

"Edge is right he was not pleased with how timid the staff was this morning he only seemed to approve of Doctor Toriel and Medic.  Of course everyone else was scared even with them at the edge of dusting in a high security ward.  It was pretty pathetic, not that the kid said so but he did gently shred and rebuild the nurse receptionist over it.  I am not even sure they noticed what he was doing and they were grateful after they talked."  Blackberry shrugs, "I think he has adopted them in his way."

Medic sighs looking pained.  "You are right about most of them being timid, it doesn't help that Nightmare was very protective any time he brought someone from a dark AU in.  We had to order everyone into counseling after Killer broke his leg, he tripped on his untied shoelaces and fell down a flight of stairs.  Killer was so damn stoic while we set his leg and Nightmare just stood there twitching and glaring.  I swear that skeleton was the scariest in overprotective parent mode."

That got Medic a lot of startled looks before Don G started laughing.  "Damn I knew your AU was neutral but I didn't realize they actually went to your hospital.  You probably have more experience with Nightmare than anyone outside his family."

Geno chuckles and nods, "sure I can shuffle around a hospital and act like an overprotective mother hen.  I might even have fun."

Dream gave a tired sigh sinking down on the couch.  "Do you think whatever they did will work?"

There was a long silence then Blackberry nodded slowly.  "I think that it stands the best chance of buying the time needed to find a better way.  I think if we want something like normal we are going to have to come up with a way to destroy more AU than the kid can handle.   I am not even sure that would save us.  He explained Dream and Nightmare's balance to me a little.  I had trouble understanding it but it was all about energy.  So Error was probably the conduit for destructive energy keeping it directed and contained.  Now without that it is spreading out eventually finding the paths of least resistance.  Making, formerly stable AU unstable."

This conjecture about the situation was met with grim looks and Sci taking notes.  After that Dream and Powder left to go pick up the camping gear.  While Medic, Edge and Geno left for MedicalTale after Geno made Reaper let him go.

Razz looked at Blackberry, and Rose.  "So do we wait here or take them there?"

Rose shakes his head, "let's wait until camp is set up before moving them so they don't have to lay on the ground."

Blackberry checks on Inky then tucks him in again.  "Fresh 404 would be disappointed, everyone was trying to think of how to help him, but other than the fact Inky needs treatment too, no one acted like they cared about him much.  As Fresh 404 keeps pointing out Inky is practically a babybones he can't help not having anyone to teach him how to do his job."

Rose sets down with a sigh, "your right Fresh could get protective.  What I have seen of him with this new host is more nurturing."

It wasn't a long wait before Powder and Dream came back with the camping gear packed in an item box.

"I should be going.  I probably won't see you guys for a while if a miniverse is on the way out.  Tell the kid I am keeping Sasin with me to introduce to Grim." Reaper stands giving them a nod before heading to the portal room.

"So Dream are you okay? Powder said something about magic fatigue?"  Razz glanced at the DustTale Sans as he checked on Inky then Fresh 404.

Dream nods, "ya it is just one of the side effects of my broken balance.  He has kind of made looking after me his project with my nephew's full approval. Apparently Powder would have been a rather good healer if his wasn't a DustTale AU.  Fresh 404 suggested training as a doctor."

Razz watches thinking about that.  "I am glad you have someone to help.  As much as I wish I could be there for you with everything going on and my AU.  Well it is good you have someone who can be there."

Blackberry and Rose share a look over Razz's obvious disappointment.  He clearly had a thing for Dream.

Powder gets his favorite knife out of his inventory and carefully cuts the threads holding Moonlight and Starlight's cocoon between Fresh 404's coat collar and hood.  Holding it up with a smile after putting away the knife.  "Here we go.  We may not be able to get them out of the cocoon but at least we can feed them now."

Dream smiles, "wonderful! I was rather worried about them stuck like that.  Moonlight, Starlight, are you guys okay? Is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable?"

Moonlight yawns, "food would be good there is a box of Bitty sized sandwiches in the basket Fresh 404 gave Blackberry to hold.  Other than that, the cocoon makes us sleepy."

Blackberry immediately got the basket out of his inventory.  "How is Starlight doing I know he had a coughing fit earlier when Fresh 404 introduced you to HorrorTale Chara # 15."

Powder passes Razz the cocoon and goes to get chilled mint tea while Razz and Blackberry huddle up carefully feeding them the small sandwiches.

"I am okay just recovering from a flu like something that the whole colony caught.  It just takes me longer." Starlight tried to down play it while he ate, not wanting to be a bother.

Dream frowns at Starlight, "don't you think it would be better to tell the truth?"

Blackberry and Razz looked at Dream worried, and Rose sighs.  "Dream I am sure he will be okay or Fresh 404 would have left him at home."  Rose glanced at Powder coming back with the tea and coffee straws small enough for Moonlight and Starlight to drink with.

Edge really wasn't expecting to come back to Razz and Blackberry feeding Moonlight and Starlight.  Or Powder holding a glass of iced mint tea with coffee straws so they could get a drink but as soon as he saw them he wished he could get in on the fun.  "I see someone managed to free their cocoon."

Rose and Dream set back and watched them fuss over the bitties before sharing a glance.  "I would totally let them babysit." Rose laughed and nodded at Dream's comment.

Medic sits down on the arm of the couch.  "I take it they are channeling the need to do something into... are those bitties?"

Edge nods watching, "ya the kid adopted a whole colony of them.  They are all depleted, some are sick or injured.  He has a Bitty Doctor staying with him.  Till they recover, the ones the guys are fussing over are Moonlight and Starlight.   Starlight is a Paladin, a subtype of Dream Bitty.  The Dream Bitties took a hit when Nightmare fell, the broken balance affects their health worse than Dream's."

Medic frowns, "then what are they doing here shouldn't they be safe at home instead of running all over the multiverse with Fresh 404?"

Blackberry glances over at them, "Fresh 404 has some of Nightmare's codes he can absorb small amounts of negative energy.  He was keeping them close to help Starlight recover. He can't do enough to help Dream but apparently he and Moonlight are enough to be a help to Starlight."

Medic sighs and rubs his sockets, "let's go set camp and get them moved the sooner Fresh 404 and Inky recover the better for everyone.  Especially if Blackberry's theory about destruction and energy flows is even close to right.  Cobalt is very smart but he didn't know everything."

After a bit of milling around it was decided that Dream would stay with Fresh 404 and Inky to take care of them and the bitties while the others set up camp.

Alter brought Dream, Moonlight, and Starlight a tomato pie.  "So it looks like you guys are managing without a leader.  It is kind of reassuring that it can work."

Dream laughs looking tired.  "It is scary Inky may not have made great choices but at least there was someone making decisions and we could all get moving in the same direction.  We have kind of fallen into doing the same with Fresh 404 but other than calling a meeting to inform us what is going on he hasn't used it to do anything other than pick up council companions and we signed up for that." Dream sighs looking down at Moonlight and Starlight who had fallen asleep once fed.  "I am so scared I will end up being a burden or a bother, and I will lose him too."

"He warned me away from my AU this morning.  So I stayed here and made that pie.  My AU reset while I was baking.  If I had gone home to water my plants like I planned I would have lost my baby."  Alter smiles at Fresh 404 where he slept on the couch.  "Learning to function without a leader or with a leader we hold accountable may be scary but I will take a few growing pains over a leader who doesn't understand consequences."

Moonlight opens his eyelight.  "Chosen leaders.  That leads discussions and makes decisions in emergency situations.  A clan is a family and everyone has a right to a say in what happens."

Dream and Alter look down at the sleepy Bitty.  Then Dream nods, "you would know wouldn't you.  You, Glitch, and Starlight have led a highly successful clan for years haven't you."

Alter blinks glancing from Moonlight to Dream then sighs.  "Somehow I am not surprised Fresh 404 found good leaders to bring into his family."

A few minutes later Edge and Rose came back.  Dream stood up, "thank you for the pie Alter and congratulations it is good to have something to celebrate especially now.  You are a lot braver than I ever was. I don't have to worry about resets and I still never risked building a family."

Rose, hearing him snorts and scooped up Fresh 404.  "You made a family, what do you think Inky became if not an overindulged little brother?"

Edge picked up Inky, adjusting him to lay against his shoulder. "Sounds about right but it is kind of hard to see it because we always thought Inky was just a weird adult."

Dream flushes and looks away, "not what I meant by building a family, but you are right Inky is like a little brother and I completely failed in raising him apparently."

Edge uses his thumb and forefinger to flick Dream on the forehead. "Stop that right now, technically Inky is older than you.  You had know idea he was a child, and no way of knowing he even needed raising.  You made sure he ate, slept, didn't go off the deep end a lot more than he did.  You even took care of him when he made himself sick trying to taste the rainbow by eating his paints.  So stop blaming yourself for what you didn't know."

Rose frowns at the flick but nods agreeing, "Edge is right you need to stop blaming yourself for things you didn't know or couldn't control.  That is like blaming me for Frisk being a freak that loves to kill.  I didn't succeed in influencing them not to after all."

Alter watched as they left while delivering a mixture of scolding and encouragement to Dream.  Sighing with a hand on his middle thinking. 'If you only knew Dream. I am not brave at all, just lucky.'