Inktobertale 2021 : Compilation of novels

15th of October : New Life

"Have you ever thought about stopping to protect AUs ?"

Ink stopped painting, and looked away from his canvas.

"You here, Error ? That's unusual. Have you finally accepted our friendship ?"

"Answer."

Ink put the tip of his paintbrush in his mouth, and took a pensive air, before finally answering.

"...No. Why would I do something like that ?"

Error didn't seem satisfied by the answer.

"...I'm not sure to see what you mean. It's not like anyone's forcing you to do it."

Ink laughed.

"Are you trying to manipulate me into giving up ? That's very surprising for you. You're right, I'm not forced to do that. But that's kinda my goal, whether I want it or not. Have you ever seen a chicken stop laying eggs because it doesn't want to ?"

"This has nothing to see. This doesn't make sense."

Ink turned around, and added a bit more orange to his painting.

"You of all people can't say that I don't make sense. You destroy AUs. I protect AUs. Do we really have a justification ?"

Error took a moment to reply.

"Well I-"

He stopped, before trying again.

"It's jus-"

"The thing-"

"UGH ! A best question is, if for any reason, you stopped doing that, what would you do ?"

"Well, there wouldn't really be any more utility to the Doodle Sphere, so maybe I'd try to live elsewhere. The Omega Timeline seems good, but it looks too blank in my taste. Maybe somewhere colored, full of life."

Error reacted at those words.

"Something... like an island ?"

"Maybe. That would allow to not encounter any inhabitant of the AU, so it would be very useful."

"But then... what AU would you pick ?"

"I don't know. It's just a concept. As I said, I'll never stop protecting AUs. Why all this sudden interest in me, though ?"

"..."

"Error ? You're still here ?" asked Ink, looking behind him. His rival was spawning a portal when he saw him. Error stopped for a moment, sighed, and answered :

"Nothing. Just a stupid dream."

And he was gone.