Inktobertale 2022 : Compilation of novels

18th October : Gravity

The moment Ink arrived in that universe, he was immediately hit by a violent force, which forced him to bow to not get projected to the ground. "What ?! What is this ?!"

"Apparently", replied Science through the walkie-talkie Ink had attached to his chest, "nothing terrible, just an AU with very strong gravity."

Ink had agreed to go to dangerous AUs with that walkie-talkie to communicate information about these to Science, who was too weak to risk going in such threatening timelines himself. This AU seemed to be nothing but one large barren land with grey dirt. No sign of civilization or life anywhere.

"This seemingly harmless condition, prevented any form of life from developing on this planet, therefore it could be qualified as an Abnormal Universe. That's all I needed to know Ink, thank you. You can teleport to the next timeline on the list."

"Good to know, I can't even stand upright." Sighed Ink as he waved his hand. Paint started floating around him, like it usually did... and fell to the ground. Intrigued, Ink tried again and again, but each time, the paint would fall back down before his teleportation could even begin. "Uh... Science ?"

"What is it Ink ? I see you're still in the same AU. What's up ?"

"Well that's the problem. Nothing is up. I can't teleport."

"What ?! What do you mean ?" asked Science. Worry could be heard in his voice.

"Well you see, normally to teleport, I wrap in a cocoon of paint/ink of some sort, before liquefying and disappearing, but... because of the gravity, my paint won't even reach my waist...

I think I'm stuck."

There was a pause.

"That's really bad, I feel stupid for not thinking about something so elementary." Eventually said Science. "Don't worry, I've got a plan. Just need to phone someone capable of AU jumping..."

"Well better hurry then."

"Why ? Is there something dangerous coming ?!" panicked Science.

"Yeah. A scoliosis." answered Ink.

A few dozen minutes later, someone finally showed up. In an orange burst, Delta Sans appeared, holding Outer Sans by the arm. Immediately, the brave warrior was pushed to the ground. "Hey Ink..." painfully said Delta. "Thought you needed some help."

"Yeah, do you have a plan for that ?"

"Well I can't take both of you with me", said Delta as he pointed to both Outer and Ink, "but I might have an idea to free you."

"What is it ?" asked Ink as he noticed Outer was standing perfectly upright, as if he was not affected by the gravity.

"Simple." said Outer. "Coming from Outertale, I naturally am affected by low gravity, and can normally float. So here, both forces cancel one another, and I have a normal weight. But here's one thing about gravity. It only works if you're close enough to the planet."

"Uh... yeah, I'm still not sure to get it." replied Ink.

"Simple." interrupted Delta. "As you know. I can make powerful rocket-like blasters. Now if we attach them to the lightest of us, therefore Outer," he pulled a rope from the bag he was holding, "we should have a force sufficient to take him off the atmosphere of this planet. Then, since he'll be attached to you as well, and floating again, he'll be able to pull you into space as well. And from then on, no problem teleporting, right ?"

Ink didn't answer, and flashed a confused face. Delta sighed. "Just... trust us, okay ?"

They used the long rope to attach 4 Delta Blasters to Outer's waist, then attach Ink's chest at the end of the rope. With a sign of the hand from Delta, each blaster fired a powerful bright orange ray, and Outer started taking off the floor, and accelerated more and more, the further he was from the ground. Soon, he disappeared through the sky, leaving Ink and Delta alone as they both kept looking up multiple minutes. As they started worrying, Ink suddenly felt a strong pull, and saw his feet lift off the ground, pulled by the rope. Out of surprise, he almost dropped Broomie and grabbed it at the last second. The ascension continued, as Ink was fascinated by Earth shrinking in his field of vision, until it completely was gone as he penetrated the white clouds. Finally, and with a last pull, Ink was dragged out of the planet's grasp, and found himself facing a panting, exhausted Outer who was smiling at him. "Heya pal, seemed like you needed a lift."

Ink had a laugh, but suppressed it as he took a grave expression. "That's good, but unfortunately it seems the worst has happened."

"...What ? What do you mean ?" asked Outer as he floated closer to the protector.

"My spine is definitely blocked." said Ink as he started to make himself spin as he tried to rectify his posture.