God of Restoration

Chapter Seven

"What-....... What are you remembering?" Dream asks, baffled. He's still brimming with happinesses that Alloy is back, his aura growing harsh with it. Dream is sure Nightmare will be able to sense its potency in a mere few minutes. Alloy's sudden distress has dampened that joy. What's wrong? Is the sudden memory of his death upsetting him, or is it something more? Does he remember all his experiences as Error and Ink now?

"I remember going mad in the Anti-Void, and I remember feeling nothing when I first visited HorrorTale," Alloy shakes a little, still curled on the floor at his brother's feet. Scales leans down on one knee to comfort him. "I remember Fate's strings and Error 404, and I remember.......... the Before."

"Before?" Cross tries to prompt.

"Yeah....... I've got some explaining to do," Alloy chuckles half heartedly, "But where's Nightmare? He's gotta hear this, too."

"Nightmare's pretty sick," Dream winces, "He's at the mansion resting. After you took that hit, he snapped, and turned into some sort of half-corrupted form to beat the crap out of 404. But what's so important that you need to tell us?"

"Heh, I knew he had it in him. I'm sure he'll want to hear this first hand, so I'll fetch him once we get to the Anti-Void. First, we need to to go catch ourselves an outcode." Alloy takes a steadying breath and stands up. There's work to be done, as always. Some of his swagger and gusto is returning.

"You're going after 404 again? Really?" Cross huffs in disbelief.

"Please don't," Blue winces.

"No! It'll be different this time, I promise. I can fight again. Error 404 needs to understand that those who hurt him in the past can never do it again." Alloy has a hard time explaining his motives. "It's- Well, it hurts to be so-.... so angry all the time. I don't want other people to feel that. I've never really know what it was actually like until the Anti-Void........"

"Are you sure about this, Alloy?," it's Scales who asks this time, "I don't doubt you, but your heart is very big, even for those who don't deserve it."

"It's not about their worthiness, Pappy. It's about making him believe in redemption. No one is purely evil." Alloy's made up his mind, and nothing is gonna change it. He and Scales stare at each other for a long moment before the taller sighs in defeat. Alloy smiles, relieved that Scales understands. "Thank you. Now, I need to find Broomie and-"

"I've got it!" Blue cheers. He swings the brush off his back and offers it up.

"Thank you so much for keeping it safe!" Alloy laughs. He runs his hands down the wood handle, happy to have it back in his hands.

"And I've got the other one." Scales walks over to a closet and yanks it open, catching a slim pole as it falls out.

"A giant knitting needle. Let me guess. It's name is Neldy?" Cross rolls his eyes.

"No. It's Phinigan," Alloy says, face totally straight, "Okay, I'm guessing that 404 is still wandering outside the AUs? I've gotta knock some sense into him."

"Well you're definitely not going alone. I'm with you, Alloy," Dream glances at Blue and Cross, "We're all with you."

"This is nice and all......." Reaper starts talking, reminding everyone of his awkward presence, "..... but I'm just gonna go. I'm obviously not needed here, and there are plenty of souls to reap elsewhere-" Alloy grabs Reaper's wrist and stops him when he stands up.

"You're staying."

"What? Why would I?......."

"Because I'm angry that half the Multiverse hates you, and that the other half ignores you. It's not supposed to be this way." Reaper doesn't have much to say to that, but doesn't attempt to leave after Alloy let's go of him.