Of Soulmates and Bonds - Errorink

22. Before the storm

Dream didn't know what to make of the Destroyer.

When he had arrived to Reapertale, Frisk had asked Reaper himself to shadow him, more to make others feel safe than for actual security reasons: the Destroyer, Error, had bragged about his might and fame, and mocked others for being afraid of him.

He had then found a corner for himself and sat down, playing cat's cradle with his blue magic and shooting creepy grins at everyone who went too close.

At a first glance, he seemed just a ruthless, arrogant, self-centered person, like Outerswap Alphys had said; well, she had actually called him "an overpowered manchild", but that was what she meant.

But Dream could see there was more beneath the surface: while the Destroyer's feeling of superiority, hubris and disgust were genuine, the empath could also feel an extreme amount of self-loathing, rage and guilt in him.

He hadn't mentioned it to anyone, of course: he'd never misuse his powers, unlike his twin, and he'd never reveal anyone's feelings, as it would be a huge breach of privacy. It had, however, made him reflect on what Blue had told him.

Seeing his best friend enter Reapertale with Frisk and Fresh had been such a relief: soon after escaping the Omega Timeline (and wasn't that a thought he didn't expect to ever think), Frisk had explained what Blue had been doing and his self-appointed mission as an escort for the Creator, and Dream had been beside himself with worry ever since, afraid that his brother's men would kill him.

He couldn't even go help him, as his aura would act as a beacon for Nightmare and lure him straight to his friend; he could only stay in Reapertale because Reaper and Life were Guardians just like them, and Nightmare wouldn't dare attack them inside their own AU.
Even if they had helped him tremendously, Dream couldn't help the envy he felt whenever he looked at the two soulmates, opposites yet working together in harmony, Reaper never resenting Life despite her popularity.

He distracted himself with helping and comforting the refugees in the Beta Timeline (the name was still a work in progress), Frisk's secret backup safe space, and then with combat training with the fighters in Reapertale, especially Stretch, Blue's brother.

When he had arrived, with a broken shoulder blade but also with a smile on his face, Dream had been at his side immediately, healing him and updating him, while Stretch had been at his other side, a silent supporting presence.
His positive energy had given Dream a nice boost, too.

Just after he was healed, Blue wanted to go train for the upcoming battle, but Dream and Stretch had both put their foot down and made him rest, asking him instead to tell them what he had been doing.

It had been an interesting tale, to say the least.

After leaving him to sleep, Stretch had told him he didn't trust his brother's assessment of the Destroyer, and Dream had to agree: both him and Blue always tried to see the best in people, and that sometimes blinded them, and made them see something that wasn't there.

Now though, he wasn't so sure anymore.

"Dream." The Guardian turned.
"Frisk. What do you need?"
"I have something to say to you, Blue and Error."

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"үσ𝕌 ⓌＡŇt 𝕌ş tσ Ⓦ𝓱Ａt?(You want us to what?)"
"Be a team."

The plan was simple: Nightmare had both the Book and Ink, so while everyone fought against his army, Dream would fight him and distract him long enough to let Frisk take back the Book and for Error and Sans to rescue the Creator and get out fast. It was all very logical: Dream was the only one who could go toe-to-toe with his twin, and Error was strong enough to both defend Ink and help Dream should something go wrong. There was one problem, though.

"ι şＡ𝐢𝓭 ι'𝓭 𝓱Ｅ𝔩ｐ 𝕪σ𝕌 яＥş𝓬𝕌Ｅ ιŇ𝕂, 𝕪σ𝕌 𝓭𝐢𝓭Ň't şＡ𝕪 ＡŇ𝕪t𝓱𝐢ŇＧ Ａᵇσ𝕌t Ⓦσя𝕂𝐢ŇＧ Ⓦ𝐢t𝓱 σt𝓱Ｅя ｐＥσｐ𝔩Ｅ! ι Ⓦσя𝕂 Ａ𝔩σŇＥ!(I said I'd help you rescue Ink, you didn't say anything about working with other people! I work alone!)"

Error was really mad. He was starting to glitch.

"That's why Blue's in the team too." Wonderful, now everyone was looking at him. Sans felt really awkward. "I thought it might make you more comfortable to have him as a teammate. If that's alright with you, Blue."

Did he have any other choice? Frisk was right, Error needed someone he trusted to be able to work with others, and him and Dream were the strongest fighters they had.

Sans smiled and said: "Don't you worry Frisk, I wouldn't have said no! I think your plan is really good, it will surely work!" He made sure to sound extra positive, trying to hide his nerves.
Judging by Dream's expression, he wasn't fooled.
Error glared at him and scoffed: "𝓓σŇ't נ𝐢Ň𝐗 𝐢t, 𝕪σ𝕌 爪σяσŇ!(Don't jinx it, you moron!)" The Destroyer then looked at him with an apologetic expression, and turned away. It was obvious the glitch didn't know how to act with him after their fight.

"Error, you know you can talk to me like a normal person, right? Even if I'm still mad at you."
Error just blushed and pouted like a kid.

It seemed god-like entities lacked emotional intelligence. This statement ironically included Dream, who (at the start of their friendship) had been an even bigger mess than Error, as instead of lashing out had bottled everything inside. Those immortal beings were lucky to have him at their side.

"I think we need to talk. We'll meet you at the exit point."

He wasn't ready to forgive Error. But he had come to help, and for now that was enough.

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They were all in front of Reapertale's exit point. People started charging in. Sans hugged Papyrus, and then watched him enter. Since Dream's aura would be a huge giveaway, he (and Sans and Error) would be the last. Frisk had given the Destroyer a special "code" to enter the Omega Timeline ("It's one use only Error, when you get out you won't be able to get back in.")

The talk with Error had been a little awkward, but the Destroyer seemed better for it: at the very least, he stopped looking at Sans as if the Royal Guard trainee was a kicked puppy. All things considered, Sans felt pretty optimistic: they got this!
He could see Dream smiling, probably feeling his confidence.
Error, instead, had a pretty serious expression on his face.

Soon, they were the only ones left. Frisk gave them the go ahead, and told them where to appear.
"Let's do it! Mwehehe!"